Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill

(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.

(8) From the summit return via the same route to the marker post (6) and turn left (North) to follow the track down to a gate in a dry stone wall.

Go through the gate and follow the field boundary fence downhill - fence on your right-hand side.

(9) You will pass through a small woodland area with some steep, tricky uneven ground, to emerge onto Routenburn Road.

(10) Turn right (North) and continue along this pleasant minor road for 2km, passing through the hamlet of Meigle and ending at the busy A78 Trunk Road.

(11) 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.

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

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

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.

(13) Close to the bottom of the hill there is an information board marking the official end of the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

(E) Turn right on the A78/Shore Road to cross the Kelly Burn. Just beyond the burn there is a road on the right which is the entrance to Wemyss Bay Holiday Park. Here the street name changes to Greenock Road and this is where the walk ends.

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

Transport

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

Amenities

• Cafes, shops and restaurants in Largs and Wemyss Bay. Shop in Skelmorlie.
• Public toilets at Largs Pencil, Largs Ferry Terminal, Aubery Park 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.

• 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