Oakley Carnock Circular (2.5 miles)
Oakley is an ex-mining village and has a few shops. Start at the old railway bridge on Station Road. You can join the West Fife Cycle Way here by heading up the sloping access path and the walk continues east towards Dunfermline. After 200 yards we encounter another bridge and leave the cycle track by taking the path to the left. Bear right uphill towards the strip of grass bordering the houses and keep going. A brief amble along the margin of a field is required by stepping over a low fence. We are heading for the transmitter mast which sits on Carneil Hill. Enough height is gained to provide views across the River Forth.
Join the farm track which takes you past the transmitter and over the top of the hill (the true summit is probably in the adjacent field). Continue down the other side and look out for Blair Tower to the left on the other side of the main road. Knock Hill is also prominent in the distance. As we approach a farm, a gate has to be negotiated. This may be chained but it's not difficult to climb the wooden spars at the side. Proceed through the farmyard - we are on a core path here and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code makes it absolutely clear that such trails can be used at any time.
The road leads to the main street in Carnock (A907). Turn left and drop into the old churchyard if you fancy. There are gravestones from the 1700s including a few with eerie mortality symbols. Follow the pavement on the A907 back towards Oakley and take a left down Sir George Bruce Road as you enter the village. Turn left again on to Burnside Terrace and pick up the path that runs alongside Carnock Burn. This takes you back to Station Road where you began.
