Lainshaw Woods & the Annick Water, Stewarton

Description

(D/A) Starting from Stewarton War Memorial, head South onto Kilwinning Road (towards Lainshaw Primary School).

Turn left (West) onto Kilwinning Road and walk along the pavement a short distance until you reach a kids play area on your left-hand side. Turn left (South West) here and walk down the lane to reach David Dale Avenue. You will see the entrance to Lainshaw Woods directly opposite on the other side of the road.

(1) Go down the steps and cross David Dale Avenue, entering Lainshaw Woods.

(2) The footpath initially zig zags downhill towards the Annick Water before following the river through the woods for 1.6km to reach the bottom of the Fisherman's Steps. Stay close to the river, ignoring any paths to your right as you move along.

Turn left (West) at the top of the steps (wooden way marker points towards Kilwinning Road) and continue along the footpath through the woods. After 1km you will reach a possible exit onto Kilwinning Road - ignore this exit, turning right (North East) to remain in the woods on a footpath running parallel to the road.

(3) After a further 700m you will reach the end of the woodland trail at a gate leading onto Kilwinning Rd.

(4) Turn right (East) along the road for 360m until reaching a red bin with a footpath on your left-hand side leading to a kids play park and residential area. Turn left here (North).

Follow tracks and paths along the edge of the housing estate, with a field on your left until you reach Elm Walk.

Turn right (East) along Elm Walk to reach Hayfield Drive.

Turn left (North) onto Hayfield Drive and at the end of the street turn right (East) onto Standalane/B778.

Walk along the pavement of Standalane/B778 (which becomes Dalry Road a bit further along) for approx 600m passing behind the Sports Centre. You will arrive back at the War Memorial (D/A).

Turn left (North East) off Dalry Road onto Ravenscraig Road. Continue north, with Ravenscraig Road becoming Lamberton Rd and leading you on to A735/Dunlop Road.

(5) Straight ahead across the road you will see a lane to the right of a cottage. Take care crossing over and go down this lane (Clark's Wynd/Piggery Row).

Keep going West until you reach the Clerkland Burn. Cross the footbridge then go up a flight of steps, turning right (South East) halfway up to go onto a footpath with the burn on your right-hand side. This area is known as Cunningham Watt Park.

There are some more steps then you will reach another footbridge. Cross over and turn left (East) with the burn on your left-hand side.

You will pass a couple of benches and very quickly arrive at another footbridge. Cross over and follow the path right (East), the burn now on your right-hand side.

(7) Continue, keeping the burn on your right, until you reach the exit of Cunningham Watt Park, next to a stone memorial and some benches.

Cross over High Street/B769 and turn left (North East) to pass The Millhouse.

(8) Follow the pavement along with some metal fencing on your right. Take the first road on the right (100m along). The street name is Gilbert Sheddon Court and there is also a tall, black finger post which says 'River Walk'.

Cross the Annick Water by way of a stone bridge then immediately turn right (West) onto a lane, keeping the river close to your right-hand side for 800m until you emerge onto Cutstraw Rd.

Turn right (West) onto Cutstraw Road to reach B778/Kirfkord.

(9) Cross over B778/Kirfkord and continue straight ahead (West) onto a lane just to the left of the Kirkford street sign.

Follow this path West along the Annick, passing beneath the railway viaduct, to reach the A735 600m along.

Cross over A735 then turn right (North) to walk along the narrow pavement to the roundabout where you turn left (West) onto David Dale Avenue.

After 50m you will reach the steps and lane next to Lainshaw Primary on your right-hand side, and the Lainshaw Woods entrance on your left (1) . Turn right here (North) to go along the lane and past the play park.

Turn right (East) onto Kilwinning Road and you will soon arrive back at Stewarton War Memorial (D/A)