Catrine to Sorn Loop

(S/E) From the car park on Wood Street in Catrine, head North East along Wood Street then turn left onto Ayr Street, following the River Ayr along for 160m to a fork.

Turn left (North East) and walk along St Cuthbert’s Street.

(1) At the end of the first terrace of houses 200m along, cross the bridge on your right (South) then turn left (East) to enter Catrine Voes and Woodlands Local Nature Reserve.

(2) At the end of the footpath continue straight ahead to cross a small car park then turn right (East) to cross a bridge over the River Ayr.

After crossing the bridge turn left (North West) to pass Catrine Weir. The footpath then continues through a pleasant woodland with the River Ayr on your left-hand side to emerge onto a minor road after 1.7km.

(3) Turn left (North) and follow the road downhill for 300m to the Auld Brig in Sorn.

Cross the bridge (North East) and turn right (East) onto B743/Main Street.

(4) Shortly after passing the Sorn Inn, (approx 600m) look for a residential lane on your left which leads North past a kids play area towards a wooden kissing gate on the hillside.

Follow the gravel track as it zig zags uphill towards the “Spooky Woods”. After only 150m at a fork at the top of the hill keep left (West) onto a wider track.

(5) This pleasant woodland walk crosses a bridge after which you should continue ahead (North West) to emerge onto a minor road called Dalyearnoch Road.

Turn left (West) to to arrive at the B743/Main Street beside Sorn Parish Church.

Turn right (North) and take care walking along B743/Main Street for 830m, passing the entrance to Sorn Castle.

(6) Turn left (South West) onto the quieter, single track road - Chapel Brae.

(7) On reaching Catrine War Memorial approximately 1.7km down the road, move onto an earth track on your left-hand side which runs parallel to the road but passes through some trees.

(8) 100m along this path turn left (South East) to descend back into Catrine via a footpath and set of steps. Ignore a right turn about halfway down.

On reaching the road turn right (South West) onto Ayr Street, and take the first turn on the left onto Wood Street.

At the end of the road you will find the car park on Wood Street (S/E)

Transport

• By car: public car park on Wood Street, Catrine (KA5 6RJ)
• By bus: local bus services to Catrine with stops on B705 close to the start of the walk

Terrain
A mix of woodland paths, pavements and surfaced roads without pavements. Some hills and steps. Note that there is a 800m section along B743/Main Street in Sorn which although a minor road can be busy with traffic with some blind corners, take care.

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

• Catrine Voes and Weir
• River Ayr
• Sorn Castle
• Sorn Auld Brig
• Village of Sorn
• Sorn Inn
• Catrine War Memorial