This whole area is not meant to be explored in the first few weeks.Leveling up history is kinda hard to do "fast" in a new game though, it takes quite a while to do.
And the coastal path, even when it's unlocked seemed really slow to em...
From mer street is 00:30 to "go to coastal path". 02:00 to "walk east on coastal path". 00:30 "walk to meadow", and then 00:10 to walk to farmlands. That's 03:10 total time one way.
Get your History to A* (you'll need that anyway) and come back later.
With enough Athletics you can run along the path.