Stoneyhall Hill

The walk up Stoneyhall Hill is a proper little workout, but once you're at the top above Burntisland, you understand why locals make the trip. It's not a dramatic summit - don't expect Alpine views - but what you get is a genuine sense of having climbed somewhere, and the Firth of Forth spreads out in front of you with Inchcolm Island poking up from the water like a brown wart. The path isn't signposted brilliantly, and it can be boggy underfoot, especially after rain, so proper walking boots matter.

Most people will crack it in under an hour return if they're reasonably fit. It's popular with local families at weekends, partly because Burntisland's got a beach and ice cream shops nearby, so you can combine it with something easier. The view's worth the walk if you're genuinely interested in Firth geography or looking for a quick leg-stretch between park stays. If you're after something more dramatic, you'll find better options elsewhere in Fife.

Stay at Pettycur Bay or Sandhills, both just down the coast - close enough that you could do the hill walk in the morning and still have the afternoon for beach time. Kinghorn Harbour is slightly further but worth considering if you want more space. There's no entrance fee or facilities up top, so bring water. Go when the visibility is decent; on a grey day it's distinctly underwhelming.