Dundee to Fife Cycle Routes

As 2022 gets under way we begin VisitScotland’s ‘Year of Stories’ and who better to tell the story of a place than those that live there. We’re introducing the first of our fantastic new resident VisitDundee Bloggers who’ll take you on some adventures around Dundee. Let’s kick things off with some Dundee to Fife cycle routes to get you out and exploring all the area has to offer.

Hi everyone! We’re Emma, Hannah & Anja – three current/ex University of Dundee students who love getting outside and getting our adventure on. We’ve lived in Dundee for a good few years now and are always out and about exploring so feel like we know the area around Dundee pretty well. We LOVE this area so much and can’t wait to tell other people about our favourite places.

This blog introduces a few rides heading across the bridge into Fife. We’re so lucky in Dundee to not only have the Angus Glens a stones throw away but also just a short nip across the bridge have the Kingdom of Fife to explore. In this blog we will suggest a beginner, intermediate and advanced ride to inspire you to head off on an adventure of your choosing. You could even link them together for a truly mega day out. Let us know how you get on and tag @visitdundee and @more.2explore in any of your pictures – happy adventuring! Look out our other blogs with routes heading North of Dundee into the fields and hills or North East along the Angus coastline for other route inspiration (coming soon). 

These rides all start from the Dundee Cycle Hub where you can pop in for a speciality coffee in their lovely cafe and some advice before heading out on your adventure. We highly recommend a very tasty and nutritious breakfast bowl of porridge before you head off. Coming out of the cycle hub head left along the waterfront towards the Tay Road Bridge (you won’t miss it). You can either choose to take the exercise and lug your bike up the stairs onto the bridge or take the leisurely option and head down the ramp to the left to take the lift. Either way, once you’re up, you’re up and then just cycle your way across to the other side – it’s a pretty long way (2.25km!) and is slightly uphill on the way across to Fife, but just think about that lovely downhill on your way back.

We’re pretty lucky that the bridge has such a wonderful pedestrian and cycling path through the middle which is entirely protected from the busy road on either side. 

Option A: Tayport (Beginner)

Distance: 12.25km

Estimated time: 1.5hrs

Surface: Tarmac

we begin our first of our Dundee to Fife cycle routes with just a short trip across the bridge and due East is the village of Tayport. There is a lovely cycle path the whole way there making this the perfect ride for someone who isn’t confident cycling on the roads. Once across the bridge just follow the blue signs all the way there. The centre of Tayport has a cute little harbour for a wander around and even a *secret* spot for a wee dip if it takes your fancy, the spot for this is just under the gpx file (we’re not going to pretend it’s not cold though). There’s also a high street with Cafes and shops if you need to refuel once you’re there. This is on a tarmac path the whole way so is perfect if you don’t have an offroad bike. 

Option B: Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve (Intermediate)

Distance: 36km

Estimated time: 2.5hrs

Surface: Tarmac + forestry track mix

Tentsmuir is a true favourite for us, and most people in Dundee. It has an absolute web of trails throughout the nature reserve and one of the most stunning beaches. Our gpx route for this is just a simple loop around the edge of the forest along the main trails, but we’d encourage everyone to stray off the beaten path a little bit and explore some of the other sites to be seen in the woodland and on the beach. The crepe shack (Salt and Pine) in the main car park (which our route definitely passes through) is worth a visit regardless of what your plans are for the rest of the day, we’ve had many a day out purely with the mission of a crepe from the shack. They have delicious coffee and a selection of both sweet and savoury crepes for you to choose from. This is especially worth it after a dip in the sea, if you can brave the cold. 

This route follows the same start as our Option A but once at Tayport you continue along the coast a short way to enter the forest. This is definitely off road once in the woodland as the trails are all uneven and rocky, however, there is the option of a road cycle to get here too (if you really really want a crepe). We’d recommend saving this for those of you who are more confident cyclists though as it’s along a busy road for some of the journey. 

Warning:  In the recent storms (Arwen and Barry) there has been some damage to the woodland and some areas are closed off due to the dangers of falling trees, so please respect any warning signs.

Option C: Wormit-Balmerino Fife Coastal Path (Advanced)

Distance: 24km

Estimated time: 3.5hrs

Surface: Tarmac + single track off road mix

The final one of our Dundee to Fife cycle routes is slightly more of an adventure. After crossing the bridge head immediately to your right and up the steps. You’ll emerge onto a cycle path which you can follow into the centre of Newport before heading down the hill to the road along the coast. We may or may not have specifically planned this route to pass the Newport Bakery (a true favourite of ours) so pop your head in on the way past to load yourself up with snacks for the adventure. Continue to follow the road until Wormit where there is a blue cycle sign towards the beach which you should follow. This is a perfect spot to stop and eat your Newport Bakery snacks.

From the beach carpark continue to follow the coast round on a small footpath, please take caution here of pedestrians out for a walk and for any farm life on the path (one time we came around the corner to a massive horse blocking the entire path). Please also listen to any farmers advice regarding where it is or isn’t acceptable to go, especially on a bike, as this changes depending upon the time of year. This little gem of a path is absolutely stunning and takes you through woodland, farmland and beach coastline.

It is definitely an advanced route though as it gets quite narrow and technical in places, that doesn’t mean you can’t just push these bits and make more of a day out of it. Once in Balermino (where you can take a visit to the Abbey) it’s time to turn around.

There is an option here; you can either go back on yourself along the coastline or take the route we have suggested which goes through the hills and farmland. This is a pretty hard one to describe so we seriously advise following the gpx track precisely and you’ll find some absolutely hidden treasures of places. You should arrive back at the Wormit carpark from where you can retrace your steps back to Dundee with your heart full of adventure.

This may also be the perfect time to restock with pastries from the Newport Bakery or a stop at Boat Brae for a coffee if you missed out on the outward journey. 

To finish off your day, why not carb load with a visit to one of the many Dundee Restaurants.

Well, if those Dundee to Fife cycle routes aren’t enough to get you pumping up the tyres on your bike then we don’t know what will.

Look out for more from our three intrepid Adventurers. They’ll be bringing you more exciting and fun filled days out across Dundee, Perthshire, & Angus throughout the year.