Knock Hill Circular from Largs

By combining the High and Low route options of the Ayrshire Coastal Path at Largs, you can create this circular route to the top of Knock Hill (268m / 879 ft) and back again. Enjoy panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal Peninsula, southern Highlands, Isle of Cumbrae and Arran, as well as down into the town of Largs itself.

Technical sheet

n°22998126
A North Ayshire walk posted on 13/06/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 15/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.95 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 244 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 240 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 197 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
Open in the mobile app GPX track PDF print
Viking Statue, Largs

Description

(S/E) From the Viking statue near the ferry terminal on Largs shorefront, head North for approx 1km to reach Aubery Park and it's pond.

(1) Cut across Aubery park and turn right (North East) to follow the Noddsdale Water onto the A78.

Turn right (South) onto the A78 then first left (East) onto Barr Crescent.

(2) This residential street becomes Noddleburn Road. Where it starts to bend away from the burn look out for a footpath to the left (North) and follow it along the edge of the burn for 800m.

The footpath leads onto Glen Avenue. Turn left (North East) and follow Glen Avenue to emerge onto Brisbane Glen Road.

(3) Turn left (North) and walk along Brisbane Glen Road for 640m to a fork.

(4) Turn left (North) to follow the way-marked track to Brisbane Mains Farm. The route passes through the farmyard and through a gate.

(5) Head North from the farmyard. After 1km the rough path bends to the left (North West). 300m further along look out for an Ayrshire Coastal Path marker post - turn left (North West) for the Knock Hill path.

(6) The path heads South and circles around Knock Hill up to the summit trig point.

(7) From the summit descend via the same route. Instead of returning to the marker post (5), look out for a minor path on your left-hand side approx 400m along the path from the base of the hill. Turn onto the path (North West) to head down towards a wall.

(8) When you meet up with the wall, turn right (North) to follow it along to a gate.

Go through the gate and follow the field boundary fence downhill - fence on your right-hand side.

(9) You will pass through a small woodland area with some steep, tricky uneven ground, to emerge onto Routenburn Road.

(10) Turn left (South) as indicated by the Ayrshire Coastal Path signage “Low Road/ Red Road to Largs”.

(11) Stay on this minor road for approx 3.2km, passing behind Knock Castle, to reach A78/Greenock Road.

(12) Turn left (South East) then and at the other side of the bridge cross the road and turn right (West) to go back into Aubery Park.

Retrace your steps along Largs esplanade back to the Viking statue (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Viking statue, Largs shorefront
  2. 1 : km 0.8 - alt. 1 m - Aubery Park
  3. 2 : km 1.6 - alt. 11 m - Footpath on left
  4. 3 : km 3.19 - alt. 35 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 3.87 - alt. 54 m - Brisbane Mains Farm
  6. 5 : km 5.13 - alt. 146 m - Left turn for Knock Hill
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 196 m - Knock Hill summit
  8. 7 : km 7.34 - alt. 152 m - Minor path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.6 - alt. 132 m - Gate in wall
  10. 9 : km 8.23 - alt. 70 m - Steep downhill woodland path
  11. 10 : km 8.43 - alt. 40 m - Routenburn Road - ACP marker posts
  12. 11 : km 9.21 - alt. 75 m - View to Knock Castle
  13. 12 : km 11.89 - alt. 6 m - Right turn into Aubery Park
  14. S/E : km 12.95 - alt. 3 m - Viking statue, Largs shorefront

Useful Information

For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks

Transport

  • Large car park at Largs seafront, just off A78/Gallowgate Street (KA30 8BG) – chargeable
  • Regular bus services to Largs
  • Largs train station is a 500m walk from the start point of the walk

Terrain
An easy first stage along Largs esplanade soon gives way to farm tracks and boggy hillside paths before a gradual ascent to the summit trig point. The descent takes you West across farmland and through pleasant woodland then along a minor road back to the esplanade.

Livestock possible at Brisbane Mains Farm and on the open hillside - please be a responsible dog owner.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • Largs Ferry Terminal - ferries to Isle of Cumbrae (Millport) - popular for bike trips
  • Largs Esplanade - amusement arcades, crazy golf, sometimes small funfair rides
  • Viking statue, Largs shorefront - known as Magnus, the statue was placed here in 2013 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs.
  • Vikingar visitor attraction
  • Aubery Park boating pond (public toilets here)
  • Knock Hill (217m), an Iron Age fort with trig point - panoramic coastal views
  • Knock Castle - built in the 1800s, now a private residence

Other walks in the area

Walking Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae

Professional from the tourism industry
Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae
↔11.21 km ↗+162 m ↘-166 m ◔3h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

Starting at the ferry slip on the Isle of Cumbrae, you will head uphill to the Glaid Stone, the island’s highest point, before descending into Millport. From here you walk back via the quiet Ferry Road. Along the way enjoy the views across to the Isle of Bute, Isle of Arran, Little Cumbrae and the hills of Ayrshire. You will pass several small lochs, a mineral well and the Cathedral of the Isles (Britain’s smallest cathedral). Not forgetting the famous Crocodile Rock!

Walking Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill

Professional from the tourism industry
Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill
↔16.83 km ↗+302 m ↘-296 m ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

Beginning at Largs Marina this route takes you the length of the promenade before heading inland and uphill across boggy ground towards Knock Hill. From the trig point on a clear day your efforts will be rewarded with beautiful views across the Clyde towards the isles of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran, as well as the Argyll hills and Cowal Peninsular. Descending towards Skelmorlie Castle and Wemyss Bay, with one very short exception the remainder of the walk is along quiet minor roads and pavements.

Walking Kaim Hill, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Walker
↔9.27 km ↗+392 m ↘-392 m ◔4 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

This circular route offers outstanding views of the Firth of Clyde – on a clear day the views to Great Cumbrae, Wee Cumbrae, Arran and Ailsa Craig, make it well worth the walk to the summit. Whatever the weather there are fascinating Neolithic rock markings and remains of an old millstone quarry.

Walking Fairlie Glens and Waterfalls Circular

Professional from the tourism industry
Fairlie Glens and Waterfalls Circular
↔7.67 km ↗+180 m ↘-183 m ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

On a clear day the views from this route are simply outstanding: the islands of Cumbrae & Arran and the pink sandy beaches at Fairlie and Hunterston. A variety of woodland paths, tracks and grassy hillsides lead you gently uphill past the remains of Fairlie Castle and along the base of Black Hill. The return section follows the Fairlie Moor Road and then the Ayrshire Coastal Path. There is the opportunity to visit some hidden waterfalls along the route.

Walking Portencross to Largs

Professional from the tourism industry
Portencross to Largs
↔11.29 km ↗+21 m ↘-21 m ◔3h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

Portencross is arguably one of the best places from which to view the Isle of Arran! The Isle of Cumbrae quickly takes it’s place as you progress towards Largs via the industrial grounds of Hunterston and the pretty town of Fairlie. Much of this walk is along cycle tracks, pavements and minor roads.

Walking Toward Point and Toward Quay, Cowal Peninsula

Walker
Toward Point and Toward Quay, Cowal Peninsula
↔6.22 km ↗+15 m ↘-15 m ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Argyll and Bute

This walk connects the highlights of Toward on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyle and Bute. It includes a coastal walk, ruins, a lighthouse and small quay. The views along the coast are breath-taking.

Walking The Greenock Cut

Professional from the tourism industry
The Greenock Cut
↔11.62 km ↗+94 m ↘-95 m ◔3h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Inverclyde

Designated as an Ancient Monument, The Greenock Cut is an aqueduct built in the 1820s to supply water from Loch Thom to Greenock. The 11.5km route is full of interesting features which is probably why it has been rated one of the top 50 walks in Scotland! It is an easy walk along surfaced minor roads, gravel tracks and grassy footpaths. You will be rewarded with fantastic views to Greenock, Gourock, the River Clyde and the southern Scottish mountains.

Walking Shielhill Glen, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Walker
↔2.55 km ↗+42 m ↘-42 m ◔0h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Inverclyde

Family-friendly woodland walk. A haven for many birds and animals this lovely circular offers a chance to walk part of the historic Kelly and Greenock Cuts as well as taking in a semi ancient woodland.

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…