Knockentiber / Springside 9km Loop

Starting in the village of Knockentiber, this route uses a small section of the NCN73 cycle track before heading out into open countryside, following quiet country roads onto the Overtoun Rd leading to Springside. The return is via the Knockentiber. Road - a single track road offering fine views down to Crosshouse and back towards the Isle of Arran on a clear day.

Technical sheet

n°26184855
A North Ayshire walk posted on 29/08/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 31/08/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.16 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 28 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 30 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 60 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 21 m
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Single track road

Description

(S/E) Facing Kilmaurs Rd, with the play area behind you, turn left (North) and walk along Kilmaurs Rd.

(1) Take the second street on your left (West) - Plann Road. This residential street bends to the right after a short distance after which you turn left (North West) onto Barr Avenue.

(2) At the end of Barr Avenue continue ahead through a gap in the hedge onto a surfaced path which leads down onto the cycle track.

(3) Turn left (West) on the NCN73 cycle track and walk along it for approx 1km.

(4) Just after walking beneath a bridge, turn right (North) along a track, emerging onto a minor road.

(5) Turn left (North) along the road, then left again (West) after 100m to walk past Southhook Cottage.

Continue along this road for 2km, to a crossroads beside Overton Farm.

(6) Turn left (South) at the Crossroads, onto Overtoun Rd.

Walk along Overtoun Rd for approx 2km, heading into and through Springside. This will be a busier road than the one you have just come off.

(7) When you reach a fork next to Springside Library / Community Centre keep left (South East) to stay on Overtoun Road.

(8) Take the first road on your left (North East) - Knockentiber Road.

(9) After 3km at the end of Knockentiber Road, turn right (South East) onto Southhook Road.

(10) At the end of the road, next to The Tiber Tavern, turn left (North East) and walk along B751, arriving back at the play area after 200m (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 41 m - Play area, Kilmaurs Rd/B751, Knockentiber
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 45 m - Turn left onto Plann Road
  3. 2 : km 0.48 - alt. 47 m - Gap in hedge leading to a surfaced path
  4. 3 : km 0.66 - alt. 42 m - NCN73 cycle track
  5. 4 : km 1.64 - alt. 33 m - Bridge
  6. 5 : km 1.81 - alt. 37 m - Left turn at Southhook Cottage
  7. 6 : km 3.97 - alt. 36 m - Overtoun Road
  8. 7 : km 5.94 - alt. 23 m - Fork next to library / community centre
  9. 8 : km 6.07 - alt. 26 m - Knockentiber Road
  10. 9 : km 8.61 - alt. 38 m - Southhook Road
  11. 10 : km 8.97 - alt. 39 m - The Tiber Tavern
  12. S/E : km 9.16 - alt. 41 m - Play area, Kilmaurs Rd/B751, Knockentiber

Useful Information

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

Transport

  • Closest train station is in Kilmarnock, 2 miles outside of Knockentiber. Local bus services to Knockentiber stop on Kilmaurs Rd at the start of the walk.
  • Knockentiber also sits on the NCN73 cycle route so can be reached easily by bike from Kilmarnock or Irvine, although there are no formal bike parking facilities in the village.
  • Small parking area next to the play park on Kilmaurs Rd, and on-street parking on the surrounding residential streets.

Terrain
Surfaced minor roads with no pavements, cycle path, residential streets with pavements. Quite a hilly route.

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

  • Garrier Burn - marks the North Ayrshire / East Ayrshire boundary
  • NCN73 cycle path
  • Walk can be extended by continuing along the cycle path from Springside into Irvine
  • Walk can be extended by turning right on the cycle path and heading towards Kilmarnock
  • Village of Knockentiber
  • Village of Springside

Other walks in the area

Walking Knockentiber / Springside 7km Loop

Professional from the tourism industry
Knockentiber / Springside 7km Loop
↔7.04 km ↗+30 m ↘-32 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

A great walk between the Ayrshire villages of Knockentiber and Springside. The outward route follows the NCN73 Kilmarnock-Irvine cycle track into Springside and returns via the quiet Knockentiber Road. Lovely views from the highest points, including down into Crosshouse and over to the Isle of Arran.

Walking Knockentiber Circular

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Knockentiber Circular
↔4.07 km ↗+12 m ↘-12 m ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

A pleasant short walk along quiet country roads and the cycle path, starting in the village of Knockentiber.

Walking Kilmaurs Town Trail

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Kilmaurs Town Trail
↔2.54 km ↗+13 m ↘-13 m ◔0h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire

A delightful short walk taking in some of Kilmaurs’ best bits, including Morton Park and the war memorial, St Maurs-Glencairn Parish Church, the remains of “Penny Bridge” and the impressive toolbooth known as the Jougs. It is actually much more of a countryside trail than its name suggests, including several field crossings. Wellies sometimes advisable!

Walking Kay Park, Kilmarnock

Association or club
↔1.05 km ↗+225 m ↘-220 m ◔0h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from East Ayrshire

This is an amenity park walk on tarmac surfaces with some gentle gradients.

Walking Kay Park with Kilmarnock Water section

Association or club
↔1.58 km ↗+240 m ↘-293 m ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from East Ayrshire

This is an amenity park walk on tarmac surfaces with some steeper gradients.

Walking Dean Castle Country Park via Borland

Professional from the tourism industry
Dean Castle Country Park via Borland
↔4.37 km ↗+26 m ↘-26 m ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from East Ayrshire

A beautiful countryside walk into the popular Dean Castle Country Park, taking in both Fenwick Water and Craufurdland Water. There are options to extend to visit the castle, Rural Life Centre, duck ponds and kids play area.

Walking Craufurdland Countryside Walk (Grassyards Road)

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Craufurdland Countryside Walk (Grassyards Road)
↔7.99 km ↗+36 m ↘-33 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from East Ayrshire

An ideal walk for the longer Spring and Summer evenings. After passing through the Craufurdland Estate, you will spend the majority of the walk out in the open countryside, from where you can admire the views on a clear day.

Walking Craufurdland Countryside Walk (Field Path)

Professional from the tourism industry
Craufurdland Countryside Walk (Field Path)
↔6.98 km ↗+34 m ↘-34 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from East Ayrshire

A walk for the more adventurous! Quiet country roads quickly lead into the woodland of Craufurdland Estate. You will pass the fishing loch and the Laird’s Table cafe/restaurant, as well as cross a ford (using the footbridge!) The return leg of the walk is via a public right of way across farmland.

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

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