Rock and Spindle

A short almost circular route starting from the East Sands area of St Andrews walking out to the Rock and Spindle.

Distance: 5.6 km / 3.5 miles
Ascent: 120 m / 400 feet
Terrain: Unsurfaced paths, tracks
Start / finish: St Andrews, East Sands

Route Map

Commence the walk by walking out on the waymarked Fife Coastal Path heading towards Crail. The route passes the University Marine Laboratory before heading up the cliffs to the St Andrews Holiday Park caravan site. When a split in the path is reached the route takes the right hand split following the waymarker. It is, however, possible to take a detour along the left hand split to a viewpoint above the Maiden’s Rock. The right hand split continues alongside the caravan park. The path is unsurfaced and there is quite a bit of up and down as it proceeds between the coast and a golf course.

After rounding a headland it is time to start heading inland. There are two options here. The easiest route is to branch off right on an obvious track heading slightly uphill. Alternatively stay on the coastal path, passing through two wooden gates to approach the Rock and Spindle rock formation. Prior to reaching the viewpoint for the rock, a rough path heads off to the right to join the previously mentioned track.

Follow the track through a gate on to the Castle Golf Course. Take note of the notice on the gate regarding walking through the golf course. Use the tracks to aim for the club house from where the access road can be followed out to the entrance. Before reaching the public road however, turn off right on a path/track that runs parallel to the road. This track can be used to reach the row of cottages at Brownhills. From this point, turn right back towards the coast on a core path in front and to the side of the cottages. The path makes it’s way back to the shore alongside the touring section of the holiday park. Turn left at the end of the path to return to St Andrews along the coastal path.