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The Craigencalt Trust area covers 3km (2 miles) of countryside, some 8 sq km, while the website Walk Cards and those from the Walking Festival covers some 100 sq km. While many of the wider area paths are rough, over steep hills and muddy fields, the paths within the Trust area are either readily traversed or part of the paths network built, managed or maintained by the Trust. The improved paths are all suitable for disabled buggies (to comply with the Fieldfare Trust and Paths for All guidance), family buggies, horses and cycles (SHARE WITH CARE), and without steps. The Fife Coastal Path runs within the area covered by our booklet. There are several map boards.
Almost all the paths in this area contain relatively steep section and you will be surprised how the "ascent" metres build up!
The café at the farm steading has closed down but The Ecology Centre offers light food and refreshments. Currently the café is open Thursday to Monday.
Try out the Troll Bridge on Rodanbraes Path with the 'Three Billy Goats Gruff' story, rope swing and the old ruined cottages of the 'Witches Cottage', celebrated in story-telling of the Walking Festival. The paths have super views over the Firth of Forth and its islands, over to Edinburgh and 75 km panorama from the Isle of May to the bridges. The woodlands are great for the children and the loch (owned by British Alcan Aluminium Ltd). The loch is "free-to-use" for all amateur, non-powered water sports, pond dipping, etc. The countryside is abundant in a wide range of wildflowers and birds, hare and deer, and insects. A special time is when the toads (and some frogs) go to the loch for breeding and the thousands of tiny toads that return.
The unobstructed paths are much used by joggers, runners and cyclists with the opportunity to cover many km.
'Come & Try' day, 1-4pm,
4th May 2024.
Visitors often see the loch as a tranquil, peaceful place to walk around and enjoy. It is good to show that lots of sports, leisure and recreational activities also take place here.
once a year, in early May, the clubs all give an afternoon freely to demonstrate their sport an let visitors have a go. Sometimes, depending on the weather, the event can be very busy and a bit exciting, but no0one goes away disappointed, all have a chance to try out the activity of their choice.
For those who prefer something quieter there is always a walk in the woodland or a chance to study the wildlife from the bird hide.
Walking Festival 2024.
View a slideshow report of the 2024 Festival. This file is 15MB in size.
Unfortunately the weather was cold, wet and windy this year, so our luck had finally lost out. But this is where the disappointment ended because the festival ambiance was as upbeat as ever. Walkers strided out in all weathers to enjoy the company and discover a new route that they had not explored previously. Yes, there were plenty of puddles and even floods in places to navigate around, but with suitable clothing and footwear everything was overcome.
There were interesting walks in the Wemyss and heritage walks in Kinghorn, Burntisland and Aberdour. A long walk around the west of Kirkcaldy was postponed due to torrential weather. It was re-scheduled to the afternoon when rain was forecast to stop. Subsequently and unexpectantly, the sun did come out and we enjoyed Balwearie Castle, Torbain folly and a barn full of contented water buffalo.
Everyone concluded that the event was a definite success.
Contact Us
Walking Group:
First Wednesday of every month, meeting in the “outer” car park (the entrance to Craigencalt Farm at the bottom of Red Path Brae) at 10am. Also meets on third Wednesday during summer. Dogs are welcome on most walks but it is best to check with the Walk Leader first.
Contact Marilyn Tel 07740999514 or by "Contact Us" form.
Regular Activities:
There are several water sports clubs that use Kinghorn Loch regularly though not all are based at the loch. All have summer and winter timetables that they follow so times on the water can vary. The arrangements given below need to be checked with the clubs.
Kinghorn Radio Controlled Sailing Club:
Saturdays, noon-4pm and Wednesdays.
Contact secretary email
kinghornradiosailingclub.org.uk
Kirkcaldy Canoe Club:
Saturdays 10am-noon, Tuesdays 6pm-8pm, Thursdays 6pm-8pm. Also a number of regattas and other events are held during the summer months.
Contact the Canoe Club for dates of regattas
email secretarykcc@gmail.com
Open Water Swimmers
(informal):Tuesdays 6pm-8pm (May-October)
Kinghorn Sailing Club:
Please contact the club.
email kinghornsc@hotmail.co.uk
Kinghorn Coastal Rowing Club: Meets several times a week at the loch during winter. Contact the secretary at kinghorncoastalrowingclub@gmail.com
Sustainable Communities Initiative (Earthship Fife)
Sadly the Earthship has been dismantled and SCI no longer has a presence at the loch.
Times and dates may vary and should be confirmed with the clubs.
Contact clubs through their websites or via info@craigencalttrust.org.uk.