This is an easy circular walk suitable for all ages through woodland and back along the beach. The prize at the end is a tasty toastie from the Cheesy Toast Shack.
Start of this Circular Walk
From Crail take the A917 St Andrews Road. Just before you reach the village of Kingsbarns you will see a sign marked beach. Take a right turn and follow the single track road to the car park.
Start your circular walk by walking back up the hill keeping to the pavement on your left. Just before you come to a small wooded area you will find a gate in the wall on your left. Go through the gate and follow the path through the wood with Kingsbarns Golf Course on your left. There is a large modern building on your right which is the R&A Golf Club Testing Centre and practice ground.
Continue on the path until you reach Kingsbarns Clubhouse on your left. Cross the road and continue south across a large flat piece of gravel ground which looks like a car park.
At the far end you will find a gate. Go through the gate past the sheds and into Cambo Estate. At this point you have two options.
Cambo Garden
Option 1. You can take a right turn past Cambo House on your left and follow the road up to Cambo Heritage Centre and Garden. There is also a cafe serving light lunches teas, coffees and cakes. If you decide to take in the gardens, the woodland area or adventure play area you will be charged an entry fee of £7.50 per person. Children are free. In my opinion the walled garden is beautiful at any time of year and is well worth a visit. For more details see on our blog.
Kingsbarns Beach
Option 2. If you don’t want to pay the £5.50 per person entry fee for the gardens then continue on your circular walk by following the right of way on the left before you reach the house and just past the sheds. Follow the path down with the stone wall on your right. This path will take you down through the woods past the Cambo Burn towards the beach. At the foot of the path you will find a gate. You will also find signs for the Fife Coastal Path. This is also part of the golf course so check to make sure there are no golfers on the tee before you proceed down the track on your left towards the beach.
At this point on your circular walk you have the option of walking along the large stretch of beach or the path along the dunes to reach the car park. This is one of the best beaches in the area and a favourite with walkers at any time of the year. Look out for Oyster Catchers, Eider Ducks, Diving Gannets, Widgen Ducks and Heron’s. There are many other small birds to spot on this walk such as Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Goldfinches, Stonechat, Yellow Hammers, Bullfinches and Chaffinches.
On your return to the car park you will find picnic tables by the beach. This may be the time to treat yourself to a well earned toastie from the Cheesy Toast Shack.
We walked this circular walk in February however the route can be walked at any time of the year.
If you would like to find out more about recommended walks in the Crail area look at our walks page on www.2crail.com
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
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We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.
