Kingsbarns to Crail Coastal Walk
Fife
This section of the Fife Coastal Path is arguably the most varied and dog friendly on the whole trail, linking the long sandy beach at Kingsbarns with the picture postcard harbour of Crail via Fife Ness, the easternmost tip of Fife. You will pass Cambo Sands, a working lighthouse, puffin watching spots in early summer and the old Danes Dyke, with porpoises and seals regularly offshore.
It is around 9 kilometres one way and takes roughly three hours, with a bus link back to Kingsbarns from Crail to complete it as a point to point. The going is mostly flat grassy coastal path and short sandy beach crossings, with only a few rockier sections near Fife Ness. Dogs can be off the lead on the open path but keep them close around seabird nesting sites in spring and on the lead when crossing the golf course at Crail. Parking is pay and display at Kingsbarns Beach with toilets, and Crail has village car parks, cafes and pubs at the far end.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Seasonal toilets and cafes at Kingsbarns and Cambo; pubs, shops and cafes in Crail.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at Kingsbarns Beach (charge); on street parking and Shoregate car park in Crail for a return by bus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingsbarns to Crail Coastal Walk dog friendly?
Yes, this stretch of the Fife Coastal Path is one of the most dog friendly sections on the whole trail, earning a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The route offers a lovely mix of sandy beaches, grassy coastal path and wide open sea views, making it a really enjoyable outing for dogs and their owners alike.
Can dogs be off lead at Kingsbarns to Crail Coastal Walk?
Dogs can be off lead for much of the route on the open coastal path, which gives them plenty of room to roam. However, you should keep them close around seabird nesting sites in spring and put them back on the lead when crossing the golf course at Crail.
What should I know before visiting Kingsbarns to Crail Coastal Walk with my dog?
The walk is around 9 kilometres one way and takes roughly three hours, with mostly flat, easy going terrain apart from a few rockier sections near Fife Ness. There is a bus link from Crail back to Kingsbarns, which makes it a convenient point-to-point route. Parking is pay and display at Kingsbarns Beach, and Crail has cafes and pubs at the far end — worth knowing if you and your dog need a rest after the walk.
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