Arbroath Cliff Trail: 20 Cool Things To See Along The Route
The Arbroath Cliff Trail is a lovely coastal path from Arbroath to Auchmithie. The route is 4 miles long and features steep high cliffs and fascinating rock formations.
Also, the view of the cliffs from the shore, reveals stunning dark cliffs. There are lovely views of secluded beaches.
This 12.2-kilometre route is considered a moderately challenging route. The Arbroath Cliff Trail is a popular trail for hiking, running and walking.
The route is mainly marked by a tarmac path so it is suitable for cyclists. This is a lovely way to enjoy some peace and tranquillity with beautiful coastal scenery.
The walk follows a Geodiversity Trail and depending on the time of year, walkers can witness wildlife including birds and dolphins. In the summer there is a selection of wildflowers.
Getting There
Train: There are trains available to Arbroath from Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow. From Edinburgh, the route takes approximately 1.5 hours. The train from Glasgow goes by Perth and takes 2 hours.
Bus: Buses are available to Arbroath from Dundee. The X7 is a popular option. From the bus station in Arbroath, the cliffs are a twenty-five-minute walk away.
There is a bus service (140) from Authmithie to Arbroath. A 10-minute bus journey to Arbroath Academy followed by a 23-minute walk gets you to the Arbroath Cliff car park.
Car Parking
The Arbroath Cliff Trail is located on the north end of Arbroath. There are parking spaces on Kings Drive, along the coast. The route begins at the edge of Victoria Park.
In the car park, there are toilet facilities. Also, there is a map at the start of the trail and leaflets are available at the tourist information centre.
Kayaking
Seaton Cliffs Nature Reserve can be viewed from a completely new and different angle. This area is considered heaven for kayakers.
There are at least ten caves to explore, some of which are pretty accessible. Viewing popular red rock formations such as Deil’s Heid looks mesmerising from the sea.
The Route
The route ends in Authiemuchie. However, there are shorter variations you can complete where you will have to walk back to the car park.
The shortest recommend route takes 30 minutes to get back to the car park.
For those who are planning on walking the whole way to Authiemuthie allow between one and half hours to two hours to get there.
There is an option to enjoy food at a popular restaurant in Authiemuthie, get the bus back to Arbroath or walk back on the Arbroath Cliff Trail route.
The route begins by walking up the path that climbs onto the cliff top. Follow the signs for Seaton Cliffs.
On this part of the route, there are lovely views looking back towards Arbroath.
Attractions Along the Way
St Ninians Well
St Ninian’s Well is a holy well. It was originally attached to a chapel and was through to cure various diseases.
Whiting Ness
Whiting Ness is the area at the first part of the Arbroath Cliff Trail. Enjoy Victoria Park and the path leading upwards to Seaton Cliffs in this area.
Scars in the red rock can be seen from where wheel marks were made. The monks quarried here for building stone to construct Arbroath Abbey from 1178 onwards.
Follow the tarmac path on the Horse Cart Tracks and around the Horseshoe which will lead you to mesmerising views.
The Needle’s Eye
The Needles Eye (also spelt E’e) is one of the most photographed parts of the Arbroath Cliff Trail. This is a very distinctive red rock formation which appears to be a rock arch well.
The Needle Eye is very high above the tide mark and is part of a collapsed sea cave. Six thousand years ago the sea level was a lot higher and it stands on the site of an old beach, 7 metres above the present beach.
Mermaid’s Kirk
Mermaid’s Kirk is a secret hidden pebbled beach which is enclosed by the bold red sandstone. The only way to get there is by kayaking through Mermaid’s Tunnel.
Seaman’s Grave
Seaman’s Grave appears to be a steep-sided red cliff face located between the Horseshoe and the Cruisie.
The Blowhole
The Blowhole was formed when two caves collapsed due to erosion from the waves. This is a popular place for (professionals) to cliff jump into the water.
The Blowhole is most dramatic during bad stormy weather.
During storms, the water funnels up 15 metres. Also, there is also a hidden cave nearby.
Dickmont’s Den
Dickmont’s Den is a deep inlet, 200 long and 100 metres wide. As you walk around Dickmont’s Den you will be able to see the cave on the north wall.
This cave is known as the Smuggler’s Cave. Smugglers Cave is guarded by a detached stack of rocks at the entrance.
Three Storey House
The Three Storey House is a red rock formation located between Dickmont’s Den and The Devil’s Heid.
The Devil’s Heid
The Devil’s Head (also known as Deil’s Heid) is a bulbous sea stack formed by the process of differential erosion.
If the weather is okay and the tide is out, then you might be able to walk right to the sea stack. This is one of the most impressive rock formations on the Arbroath Cliff Trail.
The Devil’s Letterbox
The Devil’s Letterbox is a narrow open cleft cut in the cliffs. This feature is not visible from the path.
If the land above the cleft was to cave in, another sea stack like the Devil’s Heid would be formed.
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle is the remains of an Iron Age Fort. There is not a lot remaining, a grassy mound stands at ten metres high.
It is clear why the fort was built here, 30-metre cliffs meant it was very difficult to access. Maiden Castle is an excellent vantage point providing breath taking views across Carlinheugh Bay.
Castle Gate
The castle gate is a red sandstone arch where you can catch waves crashing through. It is located just north of Mason’s Cave.
Carlingheugh Bay
Carlingheugh Bay (also known as The Flairs) is a lovely bay with a pebbly beach. The raised beach was once a site of a small settlement.
The two headlands at either side of the bay are bold red sandstone.
At the head of the bay are remnants of an old boathouse where fisherwomen from Auchmithie came to collect seaweed. The Three Sisters is a prominent rock feature located at the southern end of the bay.
The Music Notes is a coastal art installation which overlooks Carlinheugh Bay. There are musical notes, the lively Christian hymn Lord of the Dance.
The Devil’s Chair
The Devil’s Chair lies a short distance from the southern entrance of the Dark Cave. Someone has marked a face on the back end of the chair-like feature.
Gaylet Pot
Gaylet Pot is a huge collapsed cave which is 60 metres wide and 30 metres deep. This is visible in a walk on the left of the coastal path.
The Gaylet Pot can only be visited if there are no crops on the field.
Lud Castle
Lud Castle is located at the head of Castlesea Bay. This was the location of an Iron Age fort.
Castlesea Bay
Castlesea Bay is one of the lesser-known parts of the trail as it is quite far away from the starting point. This wee bay is almost always empty.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is an impressive sandstone promontory bounded by 30-metre cliffs just south of Auchmithie. An Iron Age Fort which stood on top.
Auchmithie Harbour
Auchmithie Harbour is an older fishing port compared to Arbroath.
It is believed that this smaller port was the original home of the Arbroath Smokie. Now it is a quiet strip of cottages.
In Authmithie you can visit the well-known restaurant But n Ben, this is a great pit stop to recharge. You can walk back on the Cliff Walk back to Arbroath or catch the bus.
Caves
There are 43 caves along the route. Some are accessible by kayaks at low tide. Arbroath Cliff Tours offers excellent tours of the caves and surrounding coastlines.
Stalactite Cave
This cave is located just before the Horseshoe. Stalactite Cave got its name from all the stalactite decorating the inside of the cave.
Stalactites are deposits that form when water dissolves overlying limestone and then re-deposits calcium carbonate along the ceilings or floors of underlying caves. The cave is a 300 feet long tunnel and is 100 feet underground, right under the farmer’s field.
Mermaid’s Tunnel
Mermaids Tunnel is one of the highlights of the Arbroath Cliffs. This tunnel is located between the Horseshoe and The Needle’s Eye. The Mermaid’s Tunnel leads to an open hidden pebbled beach.
Smuggler’s Cave
Smugglers Cave is a large cave located on the north wall of Dickmont’s Den. The cave is guarded by a large stack of detached rock at the entrance.
This is a popular cave to access by kayakers, where there are brilliant views across Dickmont’s Den.
Mason’s Cave
Mason’s Cave is located next to Maiden Castle. The cave can only be seen from the shore. Also, the cave can be reached by following the track from Maiden Castle or through the Castle Gate Arch.
Nearby rocks that have been sculpted by weathering and erosion are the Sphinx and the Camel’s Humps. These can be seen without leaving the path.
Dark Cave & Light Cave
The Dark Cave and Light Cave are two caves that are in close proximity to each another in Carlingheugh Bay. Devil’s Chair is located in the Dark Cave.
Gaylet Pot Tunnel
Gaylet Pot Tunnel is located between Driftwood Cave and Brandy Cave. This a tunnel which opens into a cove, located in a farmer’s field. The cove is called Gaylet Pot.
Brandy Cave
One of the last caves on the trail is located between Gaylet Pot and Lud Castle.
Brandy Cave is a popular cave to access by kayakers. Also, there are two entrances which are big enough to fit boats through.
The puffins live here. It is believed that the cave got its name in the 18th century during the days of smuggling.
Routes
There are five route options that range from 1.5 miles long to 4 miles long. The suggested route listed below takes between 30 minutes and 4 hours to complete.
Smugglers Stroll
The return journey for the Smugglers Stroll takes 30 minutes and this is the shortest route on the Arbroath Cliff Trail is 1.5 miles long. The Smugglers Stroll finishes at Dickmont’s Den.
The Devil’s Danger
The Devils Danger is the second shortest trail option on the Arbroath Cliff Trail. The 2-mile route finishes at the Three Storey House and the route takes 45 minutes to complete.
Musical Flairs
Musical Flairs is a lovely 2.6-mile-long route which takes approximately 1 hour to complete. The route finishes at the Musical Notes where there are wonderful views across Carlingheugh Bay.
Hell and Back
Hell and Back finish at The Devil’s Chair. This route is 3.8 miles long and takes one hour and 30 minutes to complete.
The Big Smokie
The Big Smokie is a 4-mile route which takes 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete. This route involves all attractions and finishes in the small fishing hamlet of Auchmithie.
How long is Arbroath Cliff Walk?
To complete the whole of the Arbroath Cliff Walk it will take you 3 hours and 20 minutes.
If you decide to stop, soak in the sights and explore the beaches. Then the route will take at least 4 hours.
The Arbroath Coastal Walk is a perfect way to get outside and exercise. This is a lovely tranquil route with lots of picturesque sights.
Where do you park for the Arbroath Cliff Walk?
There is a car park at the north end of Victoria Park. Victoria Park is located at the north end of Arbroath.
What is the height of the Arbroath Cliffs?
The height of the Arbroath Cliffs varies from 50 metres to 85 metres. The highest cliff is the Red Head Cliff which stands at 85 metres.
Final Note
This post is a locals guide to the Arbroath Cliff Trail. Make sure to take care when walking the cliff walk. At some points, the path appears to be close to the edge.
Some parts of the trail may be closed as the cliffs are unstable or parts of the path have been eroded.
It may be tempting to explore the caves and the red rock formations. However, be careful as it can be quite steep.
An app has been created with an interactive map of the trail. The map directs you to mysterious landmarks including the Devil’s Letterbox, the Forbidden Cave and Mermaid’s Kirk.
In an event of an emergency on the trail call 999 and ask for the coastguard.