I'd love to say that I took the cover picture of this post but the plaudits have to go to my mum on this one. The magnificent Forth Rail Bridge showing off its stunning architecture as the Spring sunshine beats down on it.
Accessible Parking ✅
Accessible Toilet ✅
Play Park ✅
Accessible Equipment in Play Park ❌
Cafe (Tearoom) ❌
I cannot promise that the weather will be the same if you decide to do this walk however, I can promise that you will still be met with mighty views of the bridge and the rest of the estuary.
For doing this walk you should park outside The Ballast Community Centre. You will find the Centre near the bottom of Preston Crescent, KY11 1DS. The car park has a few accessible bays and within the Centre there is an accessible toilet which doesn't require a RADAR key.
Once you've refreshed yourself head out of the car park, take a right and head down right to the bottom of the road which is where the coastal path begins. You can go on the pavement when you're going down the remainder of Preston Crescent by using the dropped kerb directly in-front of the mouth of the car park, or you can just stay on the road if it's easier for you as long as you stay alert.
Once you've refreshed yourself head out of the car park, take a right and head down right to the bottom of the road which is where the coastal path begins. You can go on the pavement when you're going down the remainder of Preston Crescent by using the dropped kerb directly in-front of the mouth of the car park, or you can just stay on the road if it's easier for you as long as you stay alert.vend head down right to the bottom of the road which is where the coastal path begins. You can go on the pavement when you're going down the remainder of Preston Crescent by using the dropped kerb directly in-front of the mouth of the car park, or you can just stay on the road if it's easier for you as long as you stay alert.
The path is a solid, wide, tarmac'd surface which is great for wheelchairs or any other mobility equipment. However, there aren't many benches and there are a few gentle inclines and declines.
Before long the Bridge will come into view on your right, and on your left, if you are able to cross an uneven dirt-track road/carpark, there is a small quarry. Scuba-diving clubs often often use it as practice and to train. Another fun fact for you is that, believe it or not, there are fish in the depths of this water.
Anyway back to the path, and if you continue on it you will arrive at a small beach at the foot of St Davids Harbour. There's a set of steps down to the sand, but to make up for accessibility barrier there a number of benches around the small bay where you can relax and take in the beautiful landscape.
To get to next stage of the coastal path you will need to go through the housing estate at St Davids Harbour. If you follow the path and stick to the coast as much as you can, you will eventually arrive at a small roundabout, if you take the second exit on your right and follow the street path round you'll soon see sign in the picture below which signals the next costal path stretch.
There is another little beach which is popular with kayakers. There are no steps to access this beach so depending on your disability this may be more appropriate for you.
Continuing on the path, you should go up the hill in-front of you instead of taking the path behind the beach. Both routes take you to the same place but by taking the alternative cycle path you will find it far more accessible as it misses out a nasty lip as the path joins the eventual pavement.
Turn right when you get to the road at a top of the hill and follow the pavement, try to enjoy the views on your right if you can. Before long you see a path that veers off to the right (see pictures below). There is a metal obstacle thing (completely needless accessibility barrier) but if you can find a way through there isa beautiful view point of the Rail Bridge with plenty benches.
The path then goes down a steep hill via a large set of steps, the accessible alternative is to turn back to the street, turn right, and follow the route for cyclists again.
I'm not the best at giving directions but bear with me... The route will also be highlighted in the 'walk tracker' image at the bottom of this post.
Right, concentrate..1) Take a left at the T junction directly in-front of you.. 2) Take the ... right.. 3) Follow onto the path at the end of the street and take an eventual right.. 4) Take the first left.. 5) Take a right and follow the road that skirts the coast again.
I would recommend finishing your walk at this point if you require, or are more comfortable with a flat path. The camber of the path becomes quite dangerous at one point - the picture below doesn't do it justice - and the are a few lumps & bumps, as well as a short, sharp incline.
With reference to the picture below, this was where I finished my walk but in the future I will continue onto the building on the right-hand side in the middle of the trees, which is the Dalgety Bay Sailing Club. The Sailing Club has an accessible toilet, and there are nice green spaces around the building where you can chill and watch racing events etc.
This portion of the Fife coastal path is approximately 7.5Km.