Ayrshire Smuggler's Trail
Follow this ancient route between Dundonald and Troon, used in the 18th century to smuggle illegal goods inland! It covers a varied terrain including woodland paths, tarmac roads, grass and sand. You will pass a quiet reservoir, walk through Fullarton Woods then across Royal Troon Golf Course, finishing it off with a stroll along Troon’s sandy Beach.
Technical sheet No. 21815880
Calculated time: 3h10[?] 
Distance : 10.42 km
Vertical gain : 68 m
Vertical drop : 107 m
Highest point : 96 m
Lowest point : 1 m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : South Ayrshire
Starting point : N 55.577574° / W 4.595994° 
Ending point : N 55.533687° / W 4.653162° 
Today's forecast :
Description
Start : Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre. Grid ref. NS 36438 34610
(D) From Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre follow the footpath which goes West from the information board, passing a kids play park on your right-hand side.
Ignore paths on your right leading into a residential area 250m along.
(1) Once in the woods you will cross a footbridge and arrive at a 3-way crossroads. Take the path on your left (South East) and follow it through the woodland.
(2) There are numerous footpaths leading off to the left as you walk along however stick to the main, wider path until you reach an obvious fork 700m along after a steep uphill section. Turn left (South East) here.
(3) Almost immediately turn right (South West) as indicated by a marker post.
A further 300m along ignore a path on your left, instead continuing South West for a further 600m to the edge of a reservoir.
(4) Continuing ahead with the reservoir on your right-hand side, the path turns to the right (North West) when you reach the far end of the reservoir and follows the line of a wall for a short distance before you turn left (South West) to pick up a track passing a disused quarry.
(5) Keep left (South West) at a fork to walk along a minor road which passes a cluster of houses and farms, before leading you over A78/Troon bypass via a footbridge and onto A759.
Turn left (South East) and use the roadside pavement to reach the village of Loans. At a roundabout continue ahead (South East) onto B746 / Main Street. This section lasts for 1.8km.
(6) Turn right (South West) down a farm track (there is a Smuggler's Trail way marker).
(7) After only 160m when you reach a gate turn right to walk along a narrow path alongside a field.
(8) The Darley Burn will be on your left-hand side and after 360m you will reach a footbridge on your left. Cross the bridge and turn right (West) as indicated by the way marker.
You will reach a surfaced road where you turn left (South). This tree-lined tarmac road continues South for approx 860m through Fullarton Woods, past the toilet block and car park and Rugby Club.
The surfaced road turns into a gravel track which you should follow, still South, for 420m. Turn right (West) to pass the entrance to Crosbie Cemetery.
The path disappears here. Cut across the grass and take care crossing Monktonhill Road to pick up a track clearly visible heading into the trees at the other side. This section can be very muddy.
After 420m you will come to a gate and the B749/Southwood Road. Cross the road carefully and again the onward route is clearly visible straight ahead.
(9) You will emerge onto the Prestwick-Troon cycle track - turn left (South) then use the ramp to access the footbridge over the railway line and on to Royal Troon Golf Course.
The right of way across the golf course lasts for 600m in a South West direction. Continue ahead to go over the top of the sand dues to arrive onto Troon Beach.
(10) Turn right (North West) on the beach and walk along the coastline.
(11) After approx 1.4km use the wooden steps to leave the beach and reach the car park just off the promenade.
(A) Troon South Beach Esplanade car park
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 40 m - Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre (KA2 9HD)
1 : km 0.36 - alt. 47 m - Footbridge and 3-way crossroads
2 : km 1.05 - alt. 69 m - Fork - turn left
3 : km 1.08 - alt. 69 m - Marker post - turn right
4 : km 2.84 - alt. 49 m - Disused quarry
5 : km 3.3 - alt. 33 m - Fork
6 : km 5.53 - alt. 30 m - Farm track
7 : km 5.69 - alt. 24 m - Right turn on reaching gate
8 : km 6.06 - alt. 12 m - Footbridge
9 : km 8.2 - alt. 11 m - Prestwick-Troon cycle track
10 : km 8.96 - alt. 2 m - Troon Beach
11 : km 10.37 - alt. 3 m - Steps access to promenade
A : km 10.42 - alt. 3 m - Troon South Beach Esplanade car park (KA10 6ES)
Useful Information
Start : Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre. Grid ref. NS 36438 34610
Transport
- Car parking: There is a small car park at Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre (KA2 9HD) and a large car park at Troon South Beach Esplanade (KA10 6ES). If traveling by car it is best to leave a car parked at each end because it is not very simple to get between Troon and Dundonald by public transport and the journey time is long considering the short distance.
- By public transport: bus services to Dundonald and Troon, Troon also has a train station.
Way marking
Inside Dundonald Woods the Smuggler's Trail is signposted using short wooden marker posts with green arrows on them. Beyond Loans village, the way markers are tall wooden finger posts.
For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Smuggler's Trail - an ancient route used in the 18th century to transport tea, wine, brandy, rum and tobacco inland from the cargo boats arriving in Troon. There is an information board outside Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre which explains the smuggling history of the area
- Dundonald Castle - possible to visit inside, purchase tickets at the Visitor Centre
- Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre - cafe, toilets, gift shop, information and tickets
- Dundonald Woods - ancient woodland rich in fungi & wild flowers
- Collennan Reservoir
- Old Loans Inn - bar meals
- Fullarton Woods - Fairy Trail, public toilets, play area
- Marr Rugby Club
- Crosbie Kirk and Cemetery
- Royal Troon Golf Course - founded in 1878 and has hosted 9 Open championships (the next one will be held here in 2023)
- Troon Beach
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