Kincraig and Ruddons Point Circular

A selection of varying length circular coastal routes starting from Shell Bay near Elie exploring the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) of Ruddons Point and Kincraig Hill. The latter is of interest for its remains of World War II fortifications, its geology and it being home to the unique Elie Chain Walk.

All walks start from Elie Holiday Park (previously known as Shell Bay) where there is a free public car park just before entering the gate into the caravan park. Alternatively it may be possible to park in the holiday park itself although a fee may be payable when the park is open (out of season take note of the gate closing time).

Route Map

Kincraig Hill (magenta and red)

Distance: 5.7 km / 3.5 miles
Ascent: 100 m / 335 feet
Terrain: Unsurfaced paths and tracks – can be muddy

Ruddons Point (red and blue)

Distance: 6.8 km / 4.2 miles
Ascent: 95 m / 310 feet
Terrain: Unsurfaced paths and tracks – can be muddy

Ruddons Point and Kincraig Hill (red)

Distance: 9.7 km / 6 miles
Ascent: 125 m / 410 feet
Terrain: Unsurfaced paths and tracks – can be muddy

Kincraig Hill

From the car park, walk through the holiday park to the seafront where there is a wooden sign post for the Fife Coastal Path.

Follow the signed route across a wooden bridge on to a grassy (although sometimes muddy) path along the shoreline. As the path reaches Kincraig Point it gains height by means of stone steps. At this point a rough path to your right descends steeply to the chain walk.

Once up the steps you are able to enjoy the high level walk across the cliff tops with views out to sea. There are a number of World War 2 fortifications sited on the headland along with a couple of communication masts, a bench and a trig point.

Keep on the clifftop path until it starts to descend the other side of the headland. You are treated to magnificent views of Earlsferry Beach along this section of the walk. Stone steps aid the descent, past a view point with a bench, to reach the beach and golf course.

Follow the coastal path signs that direct you along the grass path between the beach and golf course or, if you prefer, walk along the sands. At the far end of the beach you will reach a sign post for the Fife Coastal Path pointing inland across the golf course. At this point you have three choices.

For a short cut simply follow the obvious path/track across the golf course (watching out for golf balls) to the road on the other side.
Follow the official Fife Coastal Path route behind the houses to reach the remains of a chapel at a grassy area with a number of benches.
Follow the grass path to the outside of the golf course boundary fence and outside the stone wall. around the rocky headland and down on to a pebble beach before reaching the ruined chapel.

From the grass area where the chapel is located you join the tarmac road (Chapel Green Road) at a turning circle. Walk up this road, reaching the other end of the short cut path after 170m. At the junction go left on to Links Road keeping the golf course to your left. Once round the next corner a red ash path/track on your left heads across the golf course. Follow this track (keeping a watchful eye open for golf balls) to reach the houses at Grangehill.

The track goes uphill slightly to reach the last of houses after which it becomes an unsurfaced farm track with a purple core path arrow. Follow the track across fields for just under 1km to return to the car park where you started.

Ruddons Point

From the car park walk back along the tarmac access road (towards the main road) for just under 1km to reach a road junction with a wooden “path” signpost pointing into the trees. Follow this path into the woodland. The path is well made but could be muddy at times as it appears to be used by horses. Keep on the obvious main path through the trees for 1km until you reach a junction with a wooden signpost (if you want a short cut you can take a path from the car park directly to this point).

Turn right at the signpost on a path that takes you to the edge of the woodland. Now turn left and follow an undulating path between the trees and the salt marshes of the Cocklemill Burn. Alternative paths exist in the trees. Glimpses of the caravan park will be visible through the shelter belt trees to your left and to your right are views across the sands of Largo Bay. Reach a wooden Fife Coastal Path signpost and a wooden bench at a break in the trees. Keep the trees to your left and follow the grassy path around to Ruddons Point. It’s worth making the short detour to the summit of the wee hillock to your left. Return to the grassy track and follow it around the headland to reach the caravan park.

Either follow the Fife Coastal Path through the caravans or alternatively walk along the dunes/beach to reach a wooden footbridge with a Coastal Path signpost.

After the first communications mast, go left through a wooden gate onto a grassy track. The track descends the hill before bearing right where you can choose from either a rough surfaced track or one of a number of broad grassy terraces. Follow the road or terrace along the north side of the hill to reach a wooden building. From this point the farm road can be followed downhill, turning left onto the core path after a metal gate, to reach the car park.

Ruddons Point and Kincraig Hill

Either follow the Fife Coastal Path through the caravans or alternatively walk along the dunes/beach to reach a wooden footbridge with a Coastal Path signpost.

For a short cut simply follow the obvious path/track across the golf course (watching out for golf balls) to the road on the other side.
Follow the official Fife Coastal Path route behind the houses to reach the remains of a chapel at a grassy area with a number of benches.
Follow the grass path to the outside of the golf course boundary fence and outside the stone wall. around the rocky headland and down on to a pebble beach before reaching the ruined chapel.