This pleasant walk starts from the town and walks out to Craigtoun Country Park alongside the Kinness and Cairnsmill Burns. After a wander around Craigtoun the route returns via the Lade Braes Path on the opposite side of the burn. In the Summer months Craigtoun is a hive of activity with attractions for all the family. The return route is also incorporated into the Fife Pilgrim Way.

The full route is just under 7 miles. However, there are options to shorten the route.

  • Distance: 11km / 6.8 miles
  • Ascent: 150 m / 500 feet
  • Terrain: Paths (surfaced and unsurfaced). Some sections can be muddy.
  • Start/finish: Argyle Street, St Andrews, KY16 9BP.
  • Facilities: Good facilities in St Andrews. Pay and Display parking at Argyle Street. Toilets available at Craigtoun Park.
Route map for St Andrews and Craigtoun Park walk
Red: route as described. Blue: short cuts. Purple: other core paths. Grey: other paths

This route commences from Argyle Street on the western edge of the town. The first part of the walk is on tarmac. If you don’t mind repeating your steps it is possible to avoid this hard surface walking. Use the return route as far as the first bridge (Cockshaugh Park) then cross over to join the outward route.

From Argyle Street, walk north through the small car park. At the far side of the car park is a sign for the Botanic Gardens. This also marks the start of the Viaduct Walk. Take the Viaduct Walk path (towards the Botanics) – once the route of the railway to the East Neuk. When the walking /cycling path meets the road after about 400 m turn right along the pavement. Pass the Botanic Gardens and a school playing field. Turn right on a road immediately after the school.

At the end of the road keep straight on following a surfaced / lit path down to a bridge. Go left, before reaching the bridge, onto an unsurfaced woodland path. Follow this path alongside the burn through woodland and grassland (Cockshaugh Park). Keep right at a junction / sign so that you are on a path between houses and the burn. The path (now unsurfaced) makes its way high above the burn to reach a road end. Keep right at this point still beside the burn crossing the open grassland of Hallow Hill. The path on this side of the burn comes to an end at a footbridge. Don’t cross over, keep to the same side walking on the grass beside the burn. On reaching the houses on the far side, pick up the path behind the houses, still alongside the burn. Pass a stone bridge. Again don’t cross unless you are looking for a short cut. Keep to the path which soon reaches Bogward Road on the outskirts of St Andrews.

Cross the road and pick up a gravel path on the opposite side. Follow this path keeping right through a play area and alongside the Cairnsmill Burn. Cross the burn on a bridge and turn left into the woods on an unsurfaced path. Keep to this woodland path as it climbs high above the burn. After about 600 m the path joins the line of the old railway for a short distance. Steps then lead up to a gate on the edge of a field. Follow the signage at the gate keeping to the right on the grassy path. Note the sign asking for dogs to kept on leads at this point. The path makes its way between fields to meet with a public road after about 450 m. Turn right on to this road for a short section of road walking. However, it is a quiet road with little traffic.

After passing the small settlement of Lumbo, go left through a pedestrian gate on to an obvious path. This path forms part of the Fife Pilgrim Way and is signed for Craigtoun Den. The walk up through the den is a pleasant stroll on a well maintained path. On reaching the outskirts of Craigtoun Park there are a couple of pedestrian gates where the path crosses a road. There are now multiple ways of walking through the park. Turning right at an obvious signpost takes you past a maintenance yard and the park office. Turning left at the office then takes you past public toilets and a cafe. Alternatively if you don’t need these facilities, you can walk round the walled garden area.

The centre-piece of the park is probably the “Dutch Village” on an island in the boating pond. Unfortunately, structural issues means that the village is no longer accessible to the public. It is however, currently undergoing major restoration work and will one day be restored to its old glory. Walk around the boating pond in either direction to reach the upper pond. There is a path around the southern edge of the upper pond passing the main entrance to the park. The path bears right (north) passing the “Picnic Hut”. Follow the path around the park perimeter until an obvious junction of paths is reached. Go left here out to the road.

Turn right on to the road with a Fife Pilgrim Way sign for Ceres. This is the access road into the park and there may be traffic on it particularly at busy times. Soon the golf course is reached. Leave the road turning right past the club house. Follow the tarmac track downhill passing the abandoned Mount Melville House / Craigtoun Hospital. The track leads out to the road at the settlement of Mount Melville. Go left here and walk downhill through the houses. Once past the houses you have a choice. You can stay on the road or you may prefer to use the golf course path. Both options will bring you out on to a road at a farm.

Turn right on to this road which is quiet with little traffic. After about 400m you will be back at the settlement of Lumbo. This time, turn left on to the Fife Pilgrim Way signed for Lumbo Den. The official Fife Pilgrim Way route uses a surfaced path above the burn. There is an alternative route close to the burn although it can be a bit muddy. To use the alternative, cross the burn using the remains of a wooden bridge and turn left into the woods. Follow the unsurfaced path alongside the burn. Both options reach the same pedestrian gate beyond which is a continuation of the surfaced path. This path follows the burn for a short distance to meet with a public road.

Cross over the road. The route continues along the Fife Pilgrim Way on the other side. Very soon is a short detour to a restored doocot. Return to the burnside path passing a wooden bridge and sign for Law Mill Pond. The path passes by the pond and old grain mill. This is a very pleasant spot to stop and rest a while. Beyond the pond is a path junction and stone bridge. Cross over the bridge and turn immediately right, still on the route of the Pilgrim Way. The good path continues along the burn passing yet another bridge (actually the one you passed earlier at Hallow Hill). There are some bench seats in this area should you be looking for a lunch or coffee stop.

Keep to the path alongside the burn passing another old mill (a private residence). After the mill is a further bridge (the one at the back of the school on the outward route). Soon after this point the path splits. The main path keeps above the burn. The lower path takes a route close to the water and weirs. The two paths meet up at a playing field. Walk round the playing field to the left (clock-wise). On the far side of the playing field keep straight on crossing a road into a lane. There is a small sign here for the Lade Braes Walk. A short walk along the lane brings you back to the car park at the start of the walk.

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