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Howe of Fife

Hilly at times but with great views of rolling countryside and the Tay Estuary.

This quiet part of Fife has some lovely scenery with views over rolling farmland and the Firth of Tay. There are also some steep hills! The route described here is circular. You might prefer to do it over two days possibly staying in Falkland or St Andrews.

* Alternatively if 65 miles is too long the route can be shortened by using the 12 mile yellow coloured linking section (12+24 = 36 miles, see map).

Of course everyone has heard of St Andrews, its golf club is recognised as the ruling body for the sport world wide. The other small towns such as Newburgh, Auchtermuchty and Falkland have a rich history and still retain much of their original character. You'll find too that the wee towns and villages of Fife are not generally lacking in pubs and shops to fuel you on your way.

The route is described starting and finishing in St Andrews but you could equally well begin in Falkland or Newburgh.

The bike route between St Andrews and Guardbridge is now on the track bed of an old railway line. This is not difficult to find as it begins from the 17th green just off Golf Place. The route is well signed, the British Golf Museum and the Aquarium are both just a stones throw from the start.

Between Guardbridge and Leuchars (train station) the route runs beside the A919 but in Leuchars it runs into quiet streets then heads out on small back roads towards Tentsmuir Forest. Tentsmuir Forest unlike most forests in Scotland is flat. Kinshaldy Beach behind it is lovely and has a remote air with the pines of the forest behind. This peace can occasionally be disturbed when a plane takes off from nearby RAF Leuchars. You can go through the forest taking in the beach or save a couple of miles by cutting through inland (yellow on map).

After this the route runs along by the sea passing through Tayport (tea rooms, food shops & WC) to Newport on Tay then Wormit. The National Cycle Network leaves the Fife network here crossing the Tay Estuary on the Tay Road Bridge. There is a train station in Dundee close to the bridge exit.

South of Wormit you turn west off the B946 heading towards Balmerino. In going to Balmerino you miss out Gauldry which has a pub, what you do get is a look at the Cistercian abbey which dates from 1226 plus an extra hill. The abbey like most Scottish abbeys is a romantic ruin. If you are making the route shorter from here and returning via Balmullo (pub/shops) you turn south in trees just west of Gauldry. This section is signed too (13 miles Balmerino to Guardbridge).

Features:

• B&Bs / Hotels Nearby
• Circular Route
• Full Day Ride
• Part National Cycle Network
• Route By Sea
• Route To Link Up With Others
• Route With Bar Meals
• Route With Place To Visit
• Route With Tea Room
• Several Day Ride
• Train Station

Additional Features:

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