Montrose to St Cyrus (7 miles)
Start at the tall church spire in the middle of Montrose High Street. Take the path on the left-hand side of the building which runs between two old graveyards. Descend the steps and maintain a straight course towards Museum Street. The history of Montrose and the surrounding area is told inside the Victorian museum building that opened as far back as 1842. Admission free. Keep going in a straight line, through the public gardens and on to Marine Avenue. After passing the junction with Frank Wood Way, a blue sign for North Water Viaduct instructs you to bear left. You are now following the flat curving route of the old harbour railway.
Upon reaching Broomfield Road after a mile, you can turn right to join the officially signed Angus Coastal Path route, which doesn't actually run on the shore in this area. Alternatively, stay on the railway path - passing the site of the junction for the Inverbervie freight spur - and walk through a short tunnel under the A92. Leave the walkway here and skirt a small park to reach the pavement at a forked road junction. Walk alongside the A92 for 1000 yards, passing a small lay-by before crossing over to take a short concrete track that hooks up with the aforementioned coastal path. Follow the sign for the viaduct and traverse a section of trackbed before switching to a footpath parallel to the A92. We then re-join the old railway to cross the mighty viaduct over the North Esk. The walkway descends to a quiet minor road that brings us to St Cyrus Nature Reserve. From the visitors centre, you can either walk along the beach or take a grassy path through the reserve. Either way, you will spot a staircase winding up the cliffs after almost a mile. Sweeping views appear as you gain altitude. Once on top, head towards the church and into St Cyrus Village, where you can make use of the café, pub and shop. An hourly X7 bus service runs back to Montrose.
