Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill

Beginning at Largs Marina this route takes you the length of the promenade before heading inland and uphill across boggy ground towards Knock Hill. From the trig point on a clear day your efforts will be rewarded with beautiful views across the Clyde towards the isles of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran, as well as the Argyll hills and Cowal Peninsula. From here you head for Skelmorlie - the official end point of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, passing the Secret Bunker and Skelmorlie Castle en route. 

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Ayrshire Coastal Path

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 314 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 309 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 207 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S)  Head North from Largs Yacht Haven to pass Largs’ famous Pencil monument.

(1) Follow the coast along for 1.6km to cross the Gogo Water then follow Bath Street 300m to reach Largs ferry terminal.

(2) Head North along the Esplanade for 1km to reach Aubery Park and it's pond.

Cut across the park and turn right (North East) to follow the Noddsdale Water onto the A78.

Turn right (South) onto the A78 then first left (East) onto Barr Crescent.

(3) This residential street becomes Noddleburn Road. Where it starts to bend away from the burn look out for a footpath to the left (North) and follow it along the edge of the burn for 800m.

The footpath leads onto Glen Avenue. Turn left (North East) and follow Glen Avenue to emerge onto Brisbane Glen Road.

(4) Turn left (North) and walk along Brisbane Glen Road for 640m to a fork.

(5) Turn left (North) to follow the way-marked track to Brisbane Mains Farm. The route passes through the farmyard and through a gate.

(6) Head North from the farmyard. After 1km the rough path bends to the left (North West). 300m further along look out for an Ayrshire Coastal Path marker post - turn left (North West) for the Knock Hill path.

(7) The path heads South and circles around Knock Hill up to the summit trig point.

From the summit return via the same route to the marker post (8) and turn left (North West) to follow the track down to a deer fence and then two gates (9) .

Go through the gates and keep to the left of the trees, heading downhill (North West) over a field.

After a short distance a deep wooded glen will appear on your right-hand-side, with the Blackhouse Burn running through it. Follow the fenceline down the hill. *Note the next 200m of path between here and Routenburn Rd is currently closed due to storm damage - de-tour as follows: from (10) turn left (South West) to cut across the field, picking up a raised grassy bank which leads to a track. At some gates, turn right (West) to continue along a farm track, passing through a metal gate and then down onto the Routenburn Road. Turn right (North) on Routenburn Rd to continue along the Ayrshire Coastal Path route. 

Continue along this pleasant minor road for 2km, passing Skelmorlie Secret Bunker (11) and the hamlet of Meigle (12) and ending at the busy A78 Trunk Road.

Turn right (North) to walk along the roadside pavement for a short 20m, taking the first road on the right onto another minor road leading uphill and behind Skelmorlie Castle (13).

Continuing uphill, the road passes Skelmorlie Mains Caravan Park before beginning to head back downhill and into Skelmorlie itself.

Walk North along Skelmorlie Castle Road. Go straight on at a crossroads to reach Skelmorlie Cross (14).

Continue ahead (North West) to another crossroads, where you should turn right (North) onto Station Road. Station Road is a brae which winds its way downhill to the A78.

Turn right on the A78/Shore Road to cross the Kelly Burn. Wemyss Bay Train Station (E) will be in view and marks the end of this walk.

Note: the official end point of the Ayrshire Coastal Path is at the site of a grit bin on the left bend near the bottom of Station Road, however there is currently nothing to mark the location due to storm damage caused by Storm Eowyn in January 2025. Suggest finishing at Wemyss Bay Train Station. 

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Largs Yacht Haven
  2. 1 : km 2.33 - alt. 3 m - Largs Ferry Terminal
  3. 2 : km 3.3 - alt. 2 m - Aubery Park
  4. 3 : km 4.12 - alt. 11 m - Lane on left
  5. 4 : km 5.71 - alt. 34 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 6.41 - alt. 55 m - Brisbane Mains Farm
  7. 6 : km 7.8 - alt. 145 m - Left turn for Knock Hill
  8. 7 : km 8.98 - alt. 207 m - Knock Hill summit
  9. 8 : km 9.88 - alt. 152 m - Turn left towards deer fence
  10. 9 : km 10.15 - alt. 131 m - Deer fence gate and kissing gate
  11. 10 : km 10.69 - alt. 85 m - De-tour due to route closure: Go left across field
  12. 11 : km 12.82 - alt. 66 m - Skelmorlie Secret Bunker
  13. 12 : km 13.5 - alt. 28 m - Meigle
  14. 13 : km 14.28 - alt. 37 m - Skelmorlie Castle
  15. 14 : km 16.4 - alt. 67 m - Skelmorlie Cross
  16. E : km 17.32 - alt. 10 m - Wemyss Bay Train Station

Practical information

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

Transport

  • Car parks at Largs Yacht Haven and Wemyss Bay Train Station (chargeable)
  • Bus services between Wemyss Bay and Largs

Amenities

  • Cafes, shops and restaurants in Largs and Wemyss Bay. Shop in Skelmorlie.
  • Public toilets at Largs Promenade, Skelmorlie Secret Bunker and Wemyss Bay Train Station

Terrain
Esplanade, pavements, surfaced paths and minor roads, boggy hill tracks.

You can purchase the official Ayrshire Coastal Path guidebook from their website.

In the nearby area

  • Largs Yacht Haven
  • Largs Pencil monument
  • Largs Ferry Terminal - ferries to Isle of Cumbrae (Millport) - popular for bike trips
  • Largs Esplanade - amusement arcades, crazy golf, sometimes small funfair rides
  • Vikingar visitor attraction
  • Aubery Park boating pond
  • Knock Hill (217m), an Iron Age fort with trig point - panoramic views
  • Skelmorlie Castle
  • Ayrshire Coastal Path official end point

Other walks in the area

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