Refine your search for walks in South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire walks
Troon to Irvine
Tourism professional
6.80 mi
+16 ft
-13 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from 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.
Glenapp to Ballantrae (inland route)
9.37 mi
+574 ft
-745 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
Entirely inland, this route is very peaceful and offers easy walking. Initially across hilly moorland the path then winds its way down to the village of Ballantrae following farm tracks and quiet country roads. The views on a clear day are simply stunning.
Ayrshire Smuggler's Trail
6.47 mi
+194 ft
-322 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from 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.
Old Auchans House, Dundonald
2.49 mi
+240 ft
-226 ft
1h 20
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
Wandering though this delightful woodland, the impressive remains of 16th century Old Auchans House seem to appear out of nowhere. Go late January to see snowdrops galore, late April for wild garlic, and May for a sea of bluebells!
Girvan to Barr
Association / Club / Walk leader7.31 mi
+1,299 ft
-955 ft
4h 30
Difficult
Departure from South Ayrshire
This walk is a one-way from Girvan to Barr via Assell Valley Wind Farm and Auchensoul Hill.
Shalloch on Minnoch from Stinchar Bridge
7.84 mi
+1,680 ft
-1,706 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
This walk brings you to Shalloch on Minnoch summit where the view takes in the valley below and "The Awful Hand" can be seen to the right. Tunskeen bothy, Lochs Riecawr and Macaterick below.
Brown Carrick Hill & The Ayrshire Coast
8.23 mi
+1,063 ft
-1,063 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
A combination of lowland hills and rocky coastlines: perfection in a walk! Starting in the picture-perfect fishing village of Dunure you will wind your way up into the Carrick Hills before descending to sea level to return to the beginning via one of the most stunning and rugged sections of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. On a clear day you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views from the summit of Brown Carrick Hill (287 m / 941 ft): the best vantage point in the area!
Lady Hunter Blair, Straiton
2.14 mi
+240 ft
-240 ft
1h 10
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
One of those hidden gems Ayrshire has to offer! This is an easy walk starting in the village of Straiton and taking you into a wooded glen to visit some surprisingly spectacular waterfalls.
Hill Wood, Straiton
6.01 mi
+482 ft
-469 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
This is a circular walk beginning in the quaint rural Ayrshire village of Straiton. Initially the route heads uphill to follow rough and sometimes overgrown, boggy tracks through an area of woodland. Enjoy fine views down into the village and the Galloway hills beyond. The return leg of the walk loops back into Straiton on a variety of terrain including farm tracks, grassy fields and surfaced roads.
Croy, Mochrum Hill and Culzean Country Park
Visorando Member
9.28 mi
+1,001 ft
-997 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
The walk starts and ends as a beach walk from Croyburnfoot, returning via Culzean Country park. The walk takes in woodland tracks to climb to the summit of Mochrum Hill, which overlooks the county park and gives fine views over the Ayrshire coast and surrounding countryside.
The Monument and Bennan Circuit, Straiton
5.33 mi
+1,214 ft
-1,201 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
Whilst in the village of Straiton you cannot help but wonder about the monument atop Craigengower (331m / 1086ft). This circular walk takes you up it’s steep slopes to the summit before a more gentle descent towards the Water of Girvan, returning to the start via pleasant riverside and woodland trails.
Prestwick to Troon Sea & Golf Route
8.02 mi
+30 ft
-26 ft
3h 45
Easy
Departure from South Ayrshire
This route follows the Ayrshire Coastal Path between Prestwick and Troon, running alongside both Prestwick and Royal Troon Golf courses. The return leg forms a semi-loop by joining the NCN7 cycle track and then the Smuggler’s Trail across Royal Troon Golf Course. Enjoy the stunning views out across the Firth of Clyde!
Ayr Gorge Woodlands Reserve, Failford
3.55 mi
+302 ft
-312 ft
1h 55
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
Ayr Gorge Woodlands reserve is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Scottish Wildlife Trust Ayrshire. Follow the path of the River Ayr as it flows through a deep red sandstone gorge. This circular / figure-of-eight route takes you around most of the main trails, giving you the opportunity to explore this beautiful ancient woodland including the popular viewpoint at Peden's Cove.
Dunure to Ayr
6.99 mi
+289 ft
-302 ft
3h 30
Difficult
Departure from South Ayrshire
This is an incredible walk along one of the most rugged sections of the Ayrshire Coast. You will experience varied terrain including beaches, rocky outcrops, grassy farmland and a disused railway. Prepare yourself for stunning views and a unique sense of remoteness.
Maidens to Dunure
7.26 mi
+646 ft
-640 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
Enjoy the clifftop views of the more rugged sections of coastline around Culzean Castle & Country Park and the fields just south of Dunure. You will even pass directly in front of the incredible 18th century Culzean Castle, as well as the remains of Dunure Castle – which dates back as far as the 1200s!
Girvan to Maidens
9.95 mi
+30 ft
-33 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
This is a well way-marked route, entirely low-level and passes some of the most iconic sights in the area, including Ailsa Craig and Turnberry Lighthouse. Golf fans will love walking right across the middle of Trump Turnberry Golf Course!
Lendalfoot to Girvan
6.26 mi
+305 ft
-302 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
This route involves some beach walking as well as a pleasant inland stretch on farm tracks across some higher ground. Some very interesting geology can be found on the beach at Kennedy’s Pass as you approach Girvan.
Ballantrae to Lendalfoot
5.55 mi
+259 ft
-262 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
This route follows the sand, shingle and pebble beach from Ballantrae harbour along to Bennane Hill at which point it heads inland to follow the A77 down to Lendalfoot.
Ayrshire Coastal Path
105.63 mi
+4,091 ft
-4,446 ft
12 days
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
One of Scotland’s Great Trails, the Ayrshire Coastal Path runs 100 miles between Glenapp in the South and Skelmorlie in the North. It is a perfect mix of inland and on-beach sections which keeps things varied and interesting. With either Ailsa Craig or Isle of Arran as your companion for the vast majority of the way, there is always some stunning scenery to gaze out at (if you get the weather!) From golden sandy beaches to rugged rocky shorelines, Ayrshire has it all!
Cornish Hill Trail
3.46 mi
+397 ft
-394 ft
1h 55
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
A brilliant and fairly easy circular walk from the Stinchar Bridge to the top of Cornish Hill, returning via the secluded and peaceful Cornish Loch. Fantastic views on a clear day!
Peden's Cove, Failford
1.93 mi
+187 ft
-161 ft
1h 05
Easy
Departure from South Ayrshire
Peden’s Cove is hidden inside Ayr Gorge Woodland, a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. This beautiful and ancient woodland is formed around an incredible red sandstone canyon, which gives the water of the River Ayr a vibrant red appearance when the sun shines directly onto it! Peden’s Cove, a set of steps carved into the red sandstone cliffs, is reached a mile along the footpath.
Kirstie's Trail, Barr
5.95 mi
+453 ft
-453 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from South Ayrshire
Beautifully scenic forestry tracks take you along to Kirstie’s Cairn, a memorial to young local farmer Christopher McTaggart who lost his life there in a blizzard in 1913.
Fairy Knowe Trail, Barr
4.70 mi
+459 ft
-440 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from South Ayrshire
A stunning circular route through the idylic South Ayrshire countryside, the Fairy Knowe Trail is most definitely one of Scotland’s hidden gems. The walk follows a variety of forest tracks, mossy tree corridors, and hillside footpaths to reach a viewpoint known as the Fairy Knowe. After a short but steep descent, the track returns to the start following the course of the Water of Gregg.
Blue Bonnet Trails Circular, Ayr
7.21 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
3h 20
Easy
Departure from South Ayrshire
The fully way-marked Blue Bonnet Trails follow the journey taken from Ayr Town Centre to Alloway by Tam o’ Shanter as recounted in one of the most famous poems ever written by Robert Burns. The route described below combines the 2 Blue Bonnet Trails and forms a loop. The walk passes many points of interest along the way including Burns Cottage and Alloway's famous Auld Kirk and it also passes through both Belleisle and Rozelle Parks.
Ballast Bank, Troon
2.36 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 05
Easy
Departure from South Ayrshire
You will begin by walking along a stone footpath built into the side of the Ballast Bank, followed by a stroll along the promenade towards Troon South Beach where there is an excellent play park for the kids to enjoy. On the return, try the path across the top of the Ballast Bank instead – you will be treated to spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde on a clear day.