Ayr Gorge Woodlands reserve is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Scottish Wildlife Trust Ayrshire. Follow the path of the River Ayr as it flows through a deep red sandstone gorge. This circular / figure-of-eight route takes you around most of the main trails, giving you the opportunity to explore this beautiful ancient woodland including the popular viewpoint at Peden's Cove.
Calculated time: 1h50[?] 
Distance : 5.71 km
Vertical gain : 77 m
Vertical drop : 79 m
Highest point : 93 m
Lowest point : 57 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : South Ayrshire
Starting point : N 55.505094° / W 4.439225° 
Today's forecast :
(D/A) Facing the Failford Inn (KA5 5TF), head right (South West) on B743.
Immediately after crossing a bridge over the Water of Fail, turn left (South) to enter Ayr Gorge Woodlands.
Follow this woodland trail across a footbridge then up a steep staircase.
(1) At the top of the stairs follow the trail along for 100m to a bench. Just before the bench turn right (South West) up some uneven ground (path not shown on map).
Continue straight ahead at a crossroads then turn left (South East) to follow the footpath around the perimeter of the woodlands.
(2) After 450m the path forks. Keep right (South).
(3) Follow this high level path for 400m to another fork where you should turn left (East) to go down the steps to the riverside.
Follow the path along the River Ayr for 800m to another set of steps heading back uphill.
(4) At the top there is an information board about Ayr Gorge Woodlands. Turn right here (North West).
This trail takes you back to the fork at the top of the steps from earlier (3)
Keep left this time (don't go down the steps), and on reaching the next fork (2) turn right (East).
(5) At the end of the path turn right (South West) to walk along to Peden's Cove viewpoint (350m away), then return via the same path to this point.
Follow the River Ayr upstream for 900m to reach the bench from earlier on your left-hand side (1).
Continue past the bench to reach the top of the steps and return to the parking area opposite Failford Inn (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 60 m - Parking area opposite Failford Inn (KA5 5TF)
1 : km 0.47 - alt. 77 m - Bench
2 : km 0.98 - alt. 75 m - Fork
3 : km 1.39 - alt. 86 m - Fork at top of steps
4 : km 2.23 - alt. 78 m - Information board
5 : km 3.73 - alt. 59 m - Right turn to Peden's Cove
D/A : km 5.71 - alt. 59 m - Parking area opposite Failford Inn (KA5 5TF)
For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks
Transport
By car: there are a few parking spaces just off B74 opposite the Failford Inn
By bus: there is a bus service to Failford from Cumnock or Ayr
Terrain
There are lots of steps on this route and the earth footpaths can become muddy after rain.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
3.11 km
+45 m
-40 m
1h00
Easy
Starting point in South Ayrshire Peden’s Cove is hidden inside Ayr Gorge Woodland, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. This beautiful and ancient woodland is formed around an incredible red sandstone canyon, which gives the water of the River Ayr a vibrant red appearance when the sun shines directly onto it! Peden’s Cove, a set of steps carved into the red sandstone cliffs, is reached a mile along the footpath.
5.56 km
+9 m
-9 m
1h35
Easy
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7.59 km
+91 m
-91 m
2h25
Easy
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10.20 km
+91 m
-88 m
3h10
Easy
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5.90 km
+16 m
-17 m
1h45
Easy
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8.53 km
+33 m
-32 m
2h30
Easy
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4.01 km
+63 m
-61 m
1h20
Moderate
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10.42 km
+68 m
-107 m
3h10
Easy
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
