Hill of Beath (1.8 miles)
This small peak stands 800 feet above sea level and is an excellent place to start if you are a complete beginner to hill walking. More seasoned ramblers can still enjoy the views across to neighbouring summits. From Halbeath Retail Park, take Kingseat Road which meets the railway line at a level crossing. Continue uphill for 400 yards then take the single-track road to the right which soon leads to a flyover above the M90. Further progress in a car is not possible as the opposite end of the flyover is blocked by barriers. A 5-point turn will enable you to leave your vehicle facing the other direction. Proceed on foot through the gap in the barriers and on to a concrete road, turning left uphill. This route was formerly used by lorries servicing an opencast mine but now functions as a core path. The summit of our destination lies just under a mile from here.
Follow the old road as it gains height and Hill of Beath appears a hump on the right. When you reach another motorway flyover, don't cross, instead passing through a gate on your right. A grassy trail winds it way between the hill and the M90 - the traffic screened for a while by dense vegetation. As the motorway come back into view, look for a steep informal track leading up the green slopes. A shallower option is available by continuing through another gate and using a curving path which has been gouged out of the hillside. Either way, the initial ascent soon flattens out into an easy stroll towards the summit which has a trig point.
This is sheep grazing territory and a barbed wire fence is easily negotiated as it has fallen down at one point. It is necessary to pass through another fence, this one just strung with smooth strands. Alternatively, climb the metal gate. Despite the modest altitude, great views can be had of the River Forth and the three bridges. To the north lies Benarty Hill with Kinross-Shire beyond. Also easy to spot is the man-made mound and lake at St Ninian's near Kelty. Look west and you see Saline Hill and Knock Hill which also form natural county boundaries. Descend by the reverse route, or try and find a way down to the farm road which skirts the southern flank of the hill and also leads back to the flyover where we began.
