Elie and Kincraig Circular Walk is approximately 5 miles, easy walking, with two beach walks and a spectacular view of the islands, Elie, Earlsferry and the Firth of Forth.
How to get there:
Elie is a 9 mile drive along the A917 from Crail. There is ample car parking at Elie Golf Club or, on street parking in Earlsferry, although this can be busy over the summer months.
Alternatively the Stagecoach 95 bus is an hourly service from Crail and stops in Elie High Street. It is a 15/20 minute walk from the bus stop to the start of the walk. Click this link to take you to the bus timetable.
Start of the Walk
The walk starts at the Pavilion Cafe/Elie Golf Club. From the car park proceed along the red gravel path west until you come to a road and a telephone box. Take a right turn and follow the road across the golf course up a slight incline until you reach Grange Road. Take a left and proceed down Grange Road. At the end, the road turns to the right with the golf course on your left. Continue along this track and up the slight incline with houses on either side.
Despite the sign saying ‘private’ this is a right of way and walkers have the right to walk on this track.
Proceed down the road marked ‘Kilmer’ following the right of way arrow on the sign post. You are now in open countryside with fields on either side and Shell Bay Caravan Park facing you in the distance.
At the end of the track you will find a gate on your left and a road to your right taking you down towards Shell Bay Caravan Park. Follow the road down towards the Caravan Park. At the entrance to the Caravan park you will see a car park and a wooden gate and a path taking you through a wooded area. Follow the path through the wooded area and past the sign marked Shell Bay and Kilconquhar. At the end of the path you are treated to a great view over Largo Law and Dumbarnie Links.
We spotted a Short Eared Owl, Sand Martins, a large cock Pheasant, Deer as well as lots of little birds in the wood.
For details about climbing Largo Law click this link
Elie and Kincraig Circular Walk – Dumbarnie Beach
The coastal path and the bridge will take you to Dumbarnie Beach which is one of the best beach walks on the Fife Coastal Path and worth a slight detour.
Alternatively you can follow the track at the side of the wood with a small burn to your right until you come to the coastal path. Follow the path past the tank traps into Shell Bay Caravan Park. At this point you can make another detour and walk along Shell Bay Beach. Or you can stop for a coffee/snack at the site cafe. There are also toilets.
For more information about the Kincraig View Restaurant click this link
Elie and Kincraig Circular Walk – Kincraig Hill
The final part of this walk takes you over Kincraig and back to Elie and Earlsferry. For me this is probably my favourite part of the Fife Coastal Path offering you spectacular views on a clear day of the Isle of May, Bass Rock, Berwick Law and down towards Edinburgh.
As you start to climb Kincraig there a plenty viewpoints to stop, catch your breach and just admire the view. There are also a number of steps making the climb a bit easier. On the top of Kincraig you will find Second World War Gun Emplacements. They were manned by Polish Troops during the war. For more information about the war time relics click this link.
Elie and Kincraig Circular Walk – Earlsferry Beach
As you descend Kincraig you come to Elie Golf Course. Follow the path down the steps. We decided on another beach walk along Earlsferry beach and then followed the path at the end of the beach over the golf course. (make sure golfers are not playing their shots before you cross)
Keep heading along the sandy path with the golf course on you left. Take a left turning on to Links Road. Follow the road with the golf course on the left back to the car park and the end of the walk.
As a special treat we stopped off at the Pavillion for a well earned ice cream.
Elie and Kincraig Circular Walk – Birds spotted on this walk
We spotted a number of birds on the walk (obviously depends on the time of year) Linets, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Pheasant, Sand Martins and a Short Eared Owl.
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
If you would like to stay with us at Sandcastle Cottage then click the Book Now button at the foot of this page to take you to our booking page.
