Blairadam Forest (5.5 miles)
This former coal-mining estate has been managed by the Forestry Commission for decades and offers a variety of waymarked trails. On this circuit we visit two tiny villages, take in a swathe of woodland and scale a small hill which opens up fantastic views to the north. Blairadam straddles the boundary between Fife and Kinross-Shire and we begin in the small settlement of Keltybridge, belonging to the latter county. An old Kinross-Shire road sign still stands adjacent to the bridge over the Kelty Burn.
From the main street in Keltybridge, take the gravel track signed for Blairadam Forest. Cross the burn (into Fife) and proceed through the tunnel under the M90. As we enter the woodland, keep left at the first path junction. You will pass the remains of a railway bridge with the Beast of Blairadam carved into the brickwork. Turn immediately right on to a well-surfaced footpath which parallels the course of the old mineral line. This route merges with a wider forest road and to your immediate right is another offshoot guarded by two wooden bollards. Explore the right-hand detour if you wish. It takes just a few minutes and leads to the site of an old railway viaduct across the burn - dubbed "the 100-foot bridge" when it was in use. Nowadays the only remaining evidence of the crossing is the foundations of a brick pillar below and a large chunk of masonry perched on the opposite bank.
Branch off the forest road at the second right-hand turn, signed "Blairenbathie Mine Trail". Ignore a track to the right and follow the Mine Trail until you cross the Kelty Burn once again. We are still in Fife at this point. The path reaches another stream which marks the county boundary. Cross the small stone bridge and turn left at the T-junction. Stay on this single-track road as it ascends, skipping over a crossroads. Ignore a couple of rough paths to the side and continue climbing until reaching another four-way junction. Again, proceed straight over and follow the track as curves round to meet the grassy hump of Cowden Hill. The best place to access the mound is via a metal gate on your right. There is no discernible path to the summit but there are no obstacles. It's worth the final push as wonderful views across Loch Leven and towards the Kinross-Shire Hills appear.
Head back to the previous crossroads and this time take a left. Maintain a straight course on the downward path as we approach the eastern edge of the woodland. At a junction with an embanked road, proceed straight on, following the sign for Maryburgh. This requires a passage through a field but a style provides access and there is an exit gate at the far end. As you walk down the sloping pastureland, look right and you will see glimpses of Blairadam House - the original headquarters of the estate. Follow the obvious core path past a dwelling house and head for the tunnel under the motorway. We pass what appears to be a substantial walled garden but there is no public access to the interior. On the other side of the M90, turn right on to the quiet single-track road leading to Maryburgh and the neighbouring Keltybridge.
