Elie Coastal Path and Ruby Bay Circular
Fife
Elie and Earlsferry sit on one of the prettiest stretches of the Fife coast, and this short dog friendly circular links the harbour, Ruby Bay and the atmospheric Lady's Tower ruin. From the Ruby Bay car park the path skirts the bay, famous for the garnets that wash up on the sand, rises onto low cliffs past the whitewashed Elie Ness lighthouse and loops back through the village past the harbour and granary.
It is roughly 5 kilometres and takes around 90 minutes at a gentle pace, with only very modest ups and downs on firm coastal path. Dogs are welcome year round at Ruby Bay, while the main harbour beach has seasonal dog restrictions in summer so check signs if you want to combine the two. Expect some sheep grazing on the grassy headland, so lead up near livestock. Parking is pay and display at Ruby Bay, with toilets, and there are plenty of cafes, pubs and shops in Elie itself.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Seasonal toilets, cafes, pubs and shops in Elie; ice cream and coffee van at Ruby Bay in summer.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at Ruby Bay (charge); additional on street parking in the village.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elie Coastal Path and Ruby Bay Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited route for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. Dogs are welcome year round at Ruby Bay, and the 5km coastal loop along firm paths is an easy, enjoyable walk for most dogs. Just be aware that the main harbour beach has seasonal restrictions in summer, so check the signs on the day if you plan to visit that part of the beach too.
Can dogs be off lead at Elie Coastal Path and Ruby Bay Circular?
There are stretches where dogs can enjoy a good run, but you'll need to keep them on the lead near the grassy headland where sheep graze. The path is also a coastal route with some cliff-top sections, so a lead is wise in those spots too. With a bit of common sense, there's still plenty of opportunity for off-lead time along the bay and quieter sections of the path.
What should I know before visiting Elie Coastal Path and Ruby Bay Circular with my dog?
The route starts from the pay and display car park at Ruby Bay, which also has toilets, and Elie village has plenty of cafes, pubs and shops nearby — handy for a post-walk stop. Keep your dog on the lead when passing livestock on the headland, and double-check the signs at the harbour beach if you're visiting in summer, as dog restrictions apply there seasonally. In summer you'll also find an ice cream and coffee van at Ruby Bay, so a treat for both of you is well within reach.
What’s Nearby?
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