OpenAir Tools — Outdoor Planning & Performance

How Our Planner Helps

Choose Your Pace

Four speed profiles from trail runner to explorer.

Set Your Dates

Pick a start date and daily walking hours.

Add Rest Days

After generating your itinerary you can add rest days along the way.

Interactive Map

View each day's segment with trail details.

GPX Downloads

Export a free GPX file for each day of your trek.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Guide to the Fife Coastal Path

Hikers walking along dramatic coastal cliffs on the Fife Coastal Path

How Long Does the Fife Coastal Path Take?

This variant of the Fife Coastal Path runs roughly 137.5 km (85 miles) from South Queensferry to Newport on Tay, following the coastline of the Kingdom of Fife. Based on averaging 8 hours a day on the trail, most walkers complete it in 5 to 6 days, averaging around 14 to 17 miles per day with comfortable overnight stops in the coastal towns and villages along the way.

For those who move light and fast, fastpacking the route in around 4 days is a popular challenge — 20+ miles a day with a stripped-back pack. At the sharp end, experienced trail runners tackle the whole route in as few as 3 days.

Our planner lets you adjust daily hours and speed profile to find the perfect schedule, whether you're planning a relaxed week or a three-day push.

Colourful fishing boats in a picturesque East Neuk harbour on the Fife coast

What to Expect on the Fife Coastal Path

The Fife Coastal Path is one of Scotland's most rewarding self-guided long-distance walks, tracing the northern shore of the Firth of Forth from the iconic bridges at Queensferry all the way to Newport on Tay. It combines dramatic coastal scenery, rich history and a string of characterful fishing villages that make each day's walking feel genuinely varied.

This variant opens by crossing the Forth Road Bridge on an exposed walkway 46 metres above the water, with the UNESCO-listed 1890 Forth Rail Bridge rising to the east. From North Queensferry the path works along shared cycleways and coastal tracks through Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, past the ruined 12th-century St Bridget's Kirk, then on through Aberdour, Burntisland and Kinghorn to Kirkcaldy, Ravenscraig Castle and the Pictish sea caves of the Wemyss villages.

The East Neuk section is arguably the finest, passing the harbours of St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail. The final stretch takes in sandstone arches, the Rock and Spindle sea stack, the medieval streets of St Andrews and the wildlife of Tentsmuir Forest before finishing at Newport on Tay.

Spring wildflowers on clifftops along the Fife coast with golden sunset light

The Best Time to Walk the Fife Coastal Path

May and June are excellent months. The coastline is at its most welcoming, with long days, comfortable temperatures and the East Neuk villages looking their best in the spring light, all before the summer visitors arrive.

July and August bring the warmest and driest conditions and the beaches along the southern Fife coast are genuinely appealing. St Andrews gets very busy, particularly during the golf season, and accommodation fills quickly. Midges can be a nuisance in sheltered wooded sections.

September is a strong choice — the crowds thin, the coastal light softens and the weather often stays settled well into the month. October can deliver crisp days with fine views across the Firth of Forth, though the northern section near the Tay can be exposed in wind and rain.

November to March is walkable but short days, frequent rain and biting easterly winds make it a route for those who enjoy off-season walking. The path is low-level throughout, which makes it more manageable in poor conditions than most Scottish routes.

The historic Forth Bridge with the Fife coastline in the distance

Getting There and Away

South Queensferry is easy to reach: Dalmeny station is a short walk away with frequent ScotRail services from Edinburgh, and there are regular buses from Edinburgh city centre. Parking is available in the town.

At the northern end, Newport on Tay has frequent buses across the Tay Road Bridge into Dundee, where the station has direct services to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. You can also walk or cycle over the bridge into Dundee.

Because the route follows the coast through towns and villages, most overnight stops have rail or bus connections, which makes it straightforward to walk the trail in sections rather than one continuous trip.

Our Other Trail Itinerary Planners

Free itinerary planners for trails across the UK and Europe — each with personalised daily stages and GPX downloads.

UK

Anglesey Coastal Path (Wales) — 200 km · 10–14 days
Coast to Coast (England) — 309 km · 12–16 days
Cotswold Way (England) — 164 km · 7–10 days
Cumbria Way (England) — 112 km · 5–7 days
Dales Way (England) — 127 km · 5–7 days
Fife Coastal Path (Scotland) — 188 km · 7–10 days
Great Glen Way (Scotland) — 117 km · 4–6 days
Hadrian's Wall Path (England) — 135 km · 6–8 days
Pembrokeshire Coast Path (Wales) — 300 km · 12–18 days
South Downs Way (England) — 161 km · 7–9 days
Ridgeway (England) — 139 km · 5–7 days
Rob Roy Way (Scotland) — 127 km · 5–7 days
South West Coast Path (England) — 1,014 km · 40–56 days
St Cuthbert's Way (Scotland/England) — 100 km · 4–5 days
West Highland Way (Scotland) — 154 km · 6–9 days

Europe

Alta Via 1 (Italy) — 120 km · 8–12 days
Camí de Cavalls (Spain) — 185 km · 8–12 days
Fife Coastal Path (Scotland) — 137.5 km · 3–6 days
GR221 (Spain) — 135 km · 6–9 days
Tour du Mont Blanc (France/Italy/Switzerland) — 170 km · 8–12 days

View all planners on our Itinerary Planners page.

Fife Coastal Path Planner

Create Your Fife Coastal Path Route Itinerary

Choose your Direction

Choose your Pace

Choose your Start Date

Choose your Daily Hours

Generate Your Instant Free Itinerary

Free Fife Coastal Path GPX Route Files

How Our Planner Helps

Choose Your Pace

Set Your Dates

Add Rest Days

Interactive Map

GPX Downloads

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Guide to the Fife Coastal Path

How Long Does the Fife Coastal Path Take?

What to Expect on the Fife Coastal Path

The Best Time to Walk the Fife Coastal Path

Getting There and Away

Sample Fife Coastal Path Route Itineraries

6-Day Explorer Itinerary

5-Day Hiker Itinerary

4-Day Fastpacker Itinerary

3-Day Trail Runner Itinerary

Our Other Trail Itinerary Planners

UK

Europe

Create Your Fife Coastal Path Route Itinerary

Choose your Direction

Choose your Pace

Choose your Start Date

Choose your Daily Hours

Generate Your Instant Free Itinerary

Free Fife Coastal Path GPX Route Files

How Our Planner Helps

Choose Your Pace

Set Your Dates

Add Rest Days

Interactive Map

GPX Downloads

Frequently Asked Questions

How does your Itinerary Planner help me plan my adventure?

How accurate are your time calculations?

How hard is the Fife Coastal Path?

Which direction should I walk it in?

What are the hardest parts?

Do I need to book accommodation early?

Is the route well signposted?

Kit & Practicalities — What footwear and other kit do I need?

Where can I get food and supplies?

Can I walk the trail with my dog?

Can I wild camp?

I need assistance with my itinerary, booking accommodation and bag transfer

Can I download GPX route files of my Fife Coastal Path itinerary?

Do you have any other Trail Itinerary Planners?

Your Guide to the Fife Coastal Path

How Long Does the Fife Coastal Path Take?

What to Expect on the Fife Coastal Path

The Best Time to Walk the Fife Coastal Path

Getting There and Away

Sample Fife Coastal Path Route Itineraries

6-Day Explorer Itinerary

5-Day Hiker Itinerary

4-Day Fastpacker Itinerary

3-Day Trail Runner Itinerary

Our Other Trail Itinerary Planners

UK

Europe