The best cycling routes in Fife

Coastal cycling in beautiful Fife

There’s no end to the coastal cycle routes in Fife and the different shorelines of the peninsula each offer a different character. In the south, you can ride along the edge of the Firth of Forth, the magnificent estuary known for having the capital, Edinburgh, lying on its south bank. You can ride its northern shore, admiring the sandy coves and seeking out its castles: Aberdour (C13th), Ravenscraig (C15th), Kellie (originally C12th) and others can all be found on or near this coast. 

On the beautiful eastern shore, you can pedal in peace on quiet lanes and ride out to the wild beaches along its low-lying coastline. Immediately north of St Andrews, cycling along to the end of West Sands offers views over the immense beach, the Eden Estuary and the little city itself. Further north, there are cycle trails through the peaceful Tentsmuir Forest and you can go bird spotting at the beachside nature reserve. 

Exploring inland Fife by bike

While low-lying, there’s seldom such a thing as flat bike rides in Fife and instead you’ll be pedalling through delightfully undulating landscapes. Fields unroll either side of the roads and weathered farmhouses punctuate the view. You’ll find incredible castles and other historic buildings in many settlements as well as out in the countryside: Dunfermline Abbey, Falkland Palace and Balgonie Castle are some of the most inspiring. 

Cycling through Fife won’t present you with many climbs to justify all that shortcake you’ll be munching but if you do want to find some, the Lomond Hills have a few quiet lanes to challenge the thighs up to lovely viewpoints. For flat rides, the River Eden flows easterly through the entire county and you can make the most of its vibrant valley for easy routes.

The best time of year for riding in Fife

Late spring to early autumn is certainly the best half of the year for cycling in Fife as you can benefit from the longer daylight hours and warmer weather. In winter, snow and ice are common along with bitter winds. Nevertheless, winter riding can be beautiful in sunshine and well worth dusting off the bike for. Take windproof and waterproof clothing no matter when you ride.