Best walks near Dundee by train

A day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Scotland and plan your next day of green.

Arbroath Station to Montrose Station (Angus)

15m direct from Dundee.

breath-taking views along the cliffs. A dramatic clifftop coastal walk on worn-grass and farm tracks (which can be muddy), with sandy beach, pebble-beach and some road sections. Spectacular cliff scenery throughout and with steps and erosion in places. Crosses the Montrose Basin (a notable wildlife site) on the approach to Montrose; nice artworks line the path into town. Optional diversions take in Lunan Bay, Red Castle and Scurdie Ness.

Tough: 31km, steep ascents.

The route runs close to cliff edges where there is some erosion; watch your footing and follow any diversion signs. Some farm-track sections can be muddy.

Lunch stop: the But 'n' Ben.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Carnoustie Station to Arbroath Station (Angus)

15m direct from Dundee.

beautiful views; nice views out to sea. An easy, flat walk on unsurfaced hardcore running level alongside the railway for most of the route, with town streets twisting through at each end and nice sea views. Suitable for cycles and wheelchairs and pushchairs. Follows the train line. East Haven has a small beach.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

There is a possibility of flooding at one point, though remedial work has been done and it is fine in most weathers.

End-of-walk reward: the Marcos.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Lochgelly Station to Kirkcaldy Station (Fife)

45m direct from Dundee.

A varied rural walk on tracks and paths through fields and woodland, including a picturesque wooded glen and burn and with short pavement sections beside busier roads at each end. Over 90% off-road. Rough and occasionally steep paths. Mostly uses Fife's core paths. Highlights include the late-18th-century designed landscape of Raith Park and the wooded ravines of the Den Burn. No places to eat or buy food between Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy. A bus service runs between the two towns.

12km. Moderate ascents.

One short core-path section involves climbing a very rickety gate wrapped in barbed wire through undergrowth; it can be avoided via a couple of quiet roads.

Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kinghorn Station to Kirkcaldy Station (Fife)

45m direct from Dundee.

Lovely bit of the Fife Coastal Path. A pleasant, easy-to-follow section of the Fife Coastal Path on hard-packed gravel, with lots of ups and downs and sets of stairs and ending near Kinghorn High Street. A little urban and post-industrial at the Kirkcaldy end. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; check the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website for diversions.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

Lots of ups and downs and several sets of stairs. The Kirkcaldy end needs some redirection, as the road from Abbotshall Road is private with no access to the station; route instead via the war memorial gardens.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Inverkeithing Station to Dalgety Bay Station (Fife)

1h direct from Dundee.

great coastal views throughout; Great views. A pleasant, varied and easily followed coastal walk along the Fife Coastal Path on good tarmac and gravel surfaces, with woodland sections in Dalgety Bay, great views over the Forth and little or no main-road walking. One set of stairs at the Inverkeithing end. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; easy to extend along the coast to North Queensferry or Aberdour. Several seating areas along the way; a small shopping area in Dalgety Bay.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

One set of steps at the Inverkeithing end (a short, easy detour avoids them).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunfermline City Station to Inverkeithing Station (Fife)

1h direct from Dundee.

the vista back onto the Forth Bridge keeps changing; The Rail Bridge viewpoint is stunning. A longer route following the Fife Pilgrim Way almost the whole way, mostly off-road or on small roads and tracks across farmland, woodland, playing fields and fields of sheep, with long moderate slopes becoming steep over Castland Hill. Surfaces vary from tarmac and firm gravel to rough, muddy grassy field edges and with a long pavement stretch into Dunfermline. Follows the Fife Pilgrim Way (Inverkeithing to Dunfermline section), waymarked with thigh-high wooden posts. Rosyth is described as Scotland's only Garden City. A post office, convenience store, café and takeaway lie a few minutes off the route near Hilton Road.

Tough: steep ascents. 10km.

A long, busy and unpleasant stretch along and across the A985, though it has a wide bank/verge. The route is a little unclear across farmland near Wester Gellet and at Douglas Bank Cemetery. Graded strenuous; muddy in places.

Lunch: The route avoids most habitation in the middle; a post office, convenience store, café and takeaway are a few minutes off-route near Hilton Road. Many places to eat in central Dunfermline and in Inverkeithing.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunblane Station to Bridge of Allan Station (Perthshire)

1h from Dundee, with one change.

An accessible, attractive walk entirely on roads with a good surface, the central third closed to traffic, through woods on the old Glen Road. A mix of quiet roads and a traffic-free closed road/cycle path and with a footpath that narrows along Glen Road and a bit more of a hill than the alternative route. The traffic-free central section is part of the National Cycle Network spur connecting Bridge of Allan with Doune.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blair Atholl Station to Pitlochry Station (Perthshire)

1h from Dundee, with one change.

attractive scenery. A largely flat, mostly riverside route along the Garry and Tummel through the Pass of Killiecrankie, on forest and riverside paths that are part-paved and with just under half on quiet tarmac roads or pavement. Plenty of shade. Some flights of steps. Mostly follows the River Garry and Tummel. The NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, just off route, makes a worthwhile half-way break. Both ends are on the same bus and train line.

Tough: steep ascents. 13km.

One quiet quarry road has no pavement and may carry quarry lorries on weekdays. An alternative path through woods avoids walking the main road around a blind bend at Killiecrankie.

Lunch: Potential refreshment stop just off route at the NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, roughly half way.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route