Tayport to Tensmuir Forest - 9 miles Return- Tensmuir Forest to Tayport 9 Miles

 Part of Local Fife Bike Route

Surface- Roads,cycle paths, gravel paths
Difficulty-Fairly easy route, a few short climbs, 
Recommended bike- MTB, Hybrid (providing hard wearing tyres) not recommnded for Road Bikes
Time we completed route (beginners) - Approx 2hrs
Signposted Route: Yes, clearly marked with Fife Cycle Route on roads. (We detoured at Morton Lochs onto the B road which is not part of an official cycle route) Tenstmuir has its own signposting of routes.
Worth taking a camera? Yes, scenic at Tayport overlooking the sea, also a harbour too. 
Weather on day we completed route: Sunny, overcast, slight rain, strong breeze.

We parked car just outside Tayport (car park just down from the main car park at the bridges). The ride gets off to a good start as its on a cycle path and this part of the route is the most scenic (you could take a pic from the car!). This then takes you down into Tayport where you are now on the streets but its well sign posted with the bike route. It weaves in and out housing estates and takes you past the local harbour with  small sail boats. The route continues through a lovely little caravan park and then back onto the street before going off road.

The route really is off road here with what I would call a 'bone shaker' path till you get into Tenstmuir Forest. There are a couple of picnic benches here and makes for a great view over towards Carnoustie and beyond. When you get into Tenstmuir (there is a green gate) turn right and continue along the wooded path until you see a sign for Morton Lochs. Follow the signposts down to Morton Loch (its not so well signposted further on though!) when you see the sign for Fetterdale make sure you turn right and then follow the path down which will bring you to the Loch (you will see a bridge with cars possibly parked below). Great little bird hide and we had a large buzzard swoop out in front of us en route! Continue out onto the gravel path ie once leaving the bird hide take a right onto the road. This takes you out of Tensmuir and down a rough path bringing you out onto a B road. Take a left onto the B road and continue down until you see a sign for Ternsmuir Forest and Beach. This take you left along some great little country road with great views over the fields and the distance. Its fairly flat too so a nice easy four mile cyle back into the forest, passing a clay pigeon shooting centre on the way if you fancy trying another activity.

You enter Tenstmuir Forest by its main entrance which can be busy at weekends with lots of cars, so be wary. If you are cycling you don't need to pay the £1 admission fee into the car park. Please be aware the park closes to vehicles every night with closing times varying depending on the season. Later closes tends to be in the summer months.

There are some great picnic tables near the car park with built in BBQ stands on the tables so if you have an instant BBQ with you here would be the place to use it. Toilets are also located nearby and a kids play park. If you fancy a walk the beach is just over the hill with some great views over to St Andrews.

Continue through the car park to the gate which then takes you towards the forest trails (we contined straight along ie never detoured from path) but there are plenty different routes so you could add or cut a few miles off if you wish. We were following the 'pine cone' symbol on the outer route around the forest. Its pretty sheltered on this route. Its worth stopping at the sign for Kinshaldy Beach and having a look over the water to Dundee. There are also remanants of world war two fortifications on this beach. (There are also obesrvation towers located within Tenstmuir too but are off the cycle routes) .

Back on the route and there are a few small rises at this section, advisable to have a puncture repair kit too as this section is tough on the tyres. You eventually return to the gate where you first entered the forest where you take a right and head back towards the caravan park and then towards Tayport. After the harbour there is a slight climb to get out of Tayport before a slow rise back on the cycle path till you reach your car.

Lovely scenic route, variety of routes in forest too. The downside for me is the route is really rocky in some places and could be improved for cyclists to make it more bike friendly! We managed to get a slow puncture. So I would rate this 6/10.