Sandy Irvine Beach is wild, beautiful and seems to go on and on forever! In fact it stretches 3 miles along to Barassie. You can choose to walk all the way to Barassie and back, or if you are looking for a shorter walk, just go as far as you want to before turning back. Lined with high sand dunes and the Isle of Arran visible to the west, the beach here is popular with locals out for some fresh air and exercise.
Calculated time: 3h00[?] 
Distance : 10.56km
Vertical gain : 3m
Vertical drop : 3m
Highest point : 4m
Lowest point : 0m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : North Ayshire
Starting point : N 55.606219° / W 4.692794° 
(D/A) The walk begins at the car park for Irvine Beach Park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA).
(1) Head South West out of the car park towards a tall white tower building and the entrance to the Beach Park. Pass a picnic area and the Coastguard building on your right-hand side and follow a sandy path onto the beach.
Walk South along the golden sands of Irvine Beach for approximately 3 miles until you reach a small burn flowing out over the sand just as you arrive into Barassie.
(2) You can cross this burn by way of a small footbridge slightly upstream and there is a path leading off the beach to the bridge and onwards to a grassy embankment.
Continue along this grassy embankment as far as you'd like. You are now separated from the beach by a row of vegetation. The residences of Barassie will be on your left and the Firth of Clyde on your right. There are several benches along the embankment which provide a pleasant place to stop, admire the views and enjoy a snack.
Return to Irvine Beach Park car park via the same route. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 3m - Irvine Beach Park car park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA)
1 : km 0.12 - alt. 4m - Picnic area and Coastguard building
2 : km 4.79 - alt. 2m - Footbridge across the burn
D/A : km 10.56 - alt. 3m - Irvine Beach Park car park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA)
Dunes Path
If the weather is against you, you may wish to return via the more sheltered Dunes Path. This sandy path runs parallel to the beach and because you are behind the sand dunes, you are protected from the worst of the wind. Locate it approximately halfway along Irvine Beach at OS grid reference NS 315 365 - look out for the green Ayrshire Coastal Path way markers.
Amenities
Public toilets and tuck shop are available at the Coastguard building, which is located at the north end of Irvine Beach near the car park. These are only open during the operational hours of the Coastguards.
Click here for more information and a walk review.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
14.93km
+8m
-11m
4h15
Easy
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11.53km
+48m
-4m
3h25
Easy
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19.48km
+17m
-17m
5h35
Easy
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3.8km
+2m
-2m
1h05
Easy
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10.42km
+68m
-107m
3h10
Easy
Starting point in South Ayrshire 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.
4.01km
+63m
-61m
1h20
Moderate
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10.95km
+5m
-5m
3h10
Easy
Starting point in South Ayrshire This section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path is basically a long stretch of golden beach sandwiched between two busy coastal towns. Enjoy having a nosey at the shorefront houses in Barassie as you pass, and look out for the stone dragon atop the sand dunes of Irvine Beach! On a clear day the Isle of Arran can be seen across the Firth of Clyde.
10.27km
+4m
-3m
2h55
Easy
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