CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure

Glenrothes --> Elie Chain walk. Good idea?

(9 posts)
  • Started 5 years ago by the canuck
  • Latest reply from the canuck

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  1. the canuck
    Member

    We're thinking of trying the Elie Chain Walk this weekend, which is supposed to be about two hours?

    I'd really like to make it a car free day, and am putting together a pitch. Train to Glenrothes with Thornton, get on the coastal path asap (Google maps wants us to go mostly on roads, pfft), do the walk, return.

    we are fit-ish, but not used to beasting it on the bikes over long distances.

    --is this a tough bit of path?
    --anyone have experiences getting cycles on this train on weekend?

    many thanks!

    Posted 5 years ago #

  2. Frenchy
    Member

    I can't actually answer either of your questions, but if it were me I'd consider getting off the train at Cupar, Markinch or Kirkcaldy instead of Thornton.

    The route from Cupar is (mostly) on back roads, which might be preferable to the coastal path or the main roads from Thornton.

    https://cycle.travel suggests that the shortest route is from Markinch. It also looks like there's shared use pavements along most of the main roads it suggests you take.

    If you do want to take the coastal path, Kirkcaldy would probably be a better starting point.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  3. slowcoach
    Member

    I haven't cycled there but I did enjoy going along the chain walk. The chain and rocky part could take less than an hour one-way without hurrying, and then you could come back same way or via path above cliffs.
    We got wet feet as the tide was in (at the west end) and we hadn't realised this mattered when we started (at the east end). There are to be big tides this weekend with high tide around 3 pm. One guide suggests "The latest you should set out is two hours before high tide."

    Posted 5 years ago #

  4. ejstubbs
    Member

    Yep, full moon at the moment => spring tides.

    Beware that tide tables usually quote GMT. According to Easytide, high water on Sunday will be 16:37 BST at Elie, 16:52 BST at Methil.

    Agree on the time the chain walk itself is likely to take. We enjoyed the walk back over the headland to Elie/Earlsferry from Shell Bay. Looks like it should be grand weather for it. An ice cream as a reward for the effort would probably be in order.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  5. the canuck
    Member

    Thanks for the tips on better stations, and time zones--i hadn't thought to check that!
    i've read an hour to do the walk and then about an hour to get back to the start along the cliff top. i'm not out to break any time records. :)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  6. ejstubbs
    Member

    Absolutely the right approach. Take your time to enjoy the surroundings, and look out for wildlife - quite likely to be seals bobbing around off the headland.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  7. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Sounds like a great day out. The Chain Walk is fun. It's not quite as bad as it looks in the pictures.

    Personally I'd get off at Cupar and follow the B940 and B941 to Elie. It's a bit hilly though but usually quiet - it's in part the way I go when I cycle to my mum's in Crail.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  8. panyagua
    Member

    I'd second Cyclingmollie, but a slight alternative route (and a lovely cycle in its own right if you don't mind a few hills) is to go from Cupar via Ceres and New Gilston, joining the B941 at Largoward. There's a nice wee cafe in Ceres if you want to avoid the crowds in Elie.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  9. the canuck
    Member

    i've walked the camino del rey in El Chorro, so it doesn't look too scary. :) given how out of practice i am, i may change my opinion when i see it. :)

    i'm getting negative vibes from the other half, who, to be fair, has been on his bike about 4 times in the past year...

    Posted 5 years ago #

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