A lovely peaceful walk between the two villages of Stewarton and Dunlop. After a short section through Lainshaw Woods the remainder of the walk uses quiet single track roads before an optional de-tour through the Millennium Woodland Nature Park in Dunlop. There are a few hills on this route, the reward being stunning views across to the Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and north to Ben Lomond if it is a clear day!
Calculated time: 3h35[?] 
Distance : 11.69km
Vertical gain : 86m
Vertical drop : 61m
Highest point : 140m
Lowest point : 66m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : East Ayrshire
Starting point : N 55.682099° / W 4.517205° 
Ending point : N 55.712406° / W 4.531662° 
(D) Exit Stewarton Train Station onto Rigg Street, turn right (South East) to walk along Rigg Street to the crossroads.
(1) Turn right (South West) onto Lainshaw Street then right (North West) at the mini roundabout.
(2) Walk beneath the railway bridge on Standalane then turn left (South West), passing Lainshaw Primary School. Stewarton War Memorial will be on your right-hand side.
(3) Continue along Kilwinning Road for a little over 1km at which point you have the option to continue along the road or use the earth footpath through Lainshaw Woods instead for the next 700m. Look for a gate on your left which takes you into the woods. This woodland path runs parallel to Kilwinning Road - where the path takes a sharp left turn, you should turn right (North East) to return to the road.
(4) Continue on Kilwinning Road for a further 2.5km, turning sharp right (North East) at Crossgates farmhouse. This single track road continues for around 5.6km towards Dunlop.
(5) About a third of the way along it you will reach a crossroads with the B778/Standalane where you go straight on (North).
(6) 3km further up, you will see a sign for Templehouse Woodland on your right. You can either stay on the road here or take a de-tour to explore the small woodland first. If going through the woods turn right (South East) where you see the sign and you will notice a gate on your left giving you access to the footpath. The woods are not big so you can follow any paths you fancy and either return to this gate to resume the walk or exit the woodland via a gate at its north end, beside the picnic area. Both options will take you back onto the single track road.
(7) Continue (North East) along the road, passing Dunlop Kirk.
At the end of the road turn right (East) onto Main Street/B706.
(8) You will pass Dunlop Post Office and Idle Hands Bakery, then reach a traffic light junction.
Turn left (North East) to stay on Main Street.
Go straight ahead at the roundabout onto Newmill Road. Dunlop Train Station is beneath the bridge. Whether you cross it or not will depend on which platform you need to go to for home! (A)
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 107m - Stewarton Train Station
1 : km 0.43 - alt. 98m - Mini roundabout
2 : km 0.6 - alt. 103m - War memorial and Primary School
3 : km 1.71 - alt. 100m - Gated entrance to Lainshaw Woods
4 : km 5.09 - alt. 77m - Crossgates farmhouse
5 : km 7.45 - alt. 83m - Crossroads
6 : km 10.5 - alt. 134m - Templehouse Woodland
7 : km 11.1 - alt. 121m - Dunlop Kirk
8 : km 11.5 - alt. 134m - Traffic light junction
A : km 11.69 - alt. 137m - Dunlop Train Station
For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks
Terrain
Quiet country roads, with the second half of the walk uphill all the way to Dunlop. Unsurfaced footpaths in Lainshaw Woods and the Millenium Woodland, often boggy (both can be avoided by staying on the road). Roadside pavements once in Dunlop.
Transport
There is a train station at both ends making this the obvious transport option. There are also car parks at both stations and a bus service between Stewarton and Dunlop.
Amenities
There are restaurants, cafes and shops in Stewarton and in Dunlop you will find Struther Farmhouse cafe and Idle Hands Bakery.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
8.3km
+52m
-59m
2h30
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire A scenic and varied figure of eight walk which follows the Annick Water on its journey through Stewarton, including through the town’s popular Lainshaw Woods and Cunningham Watt Park.
4.37km
+26m
-26m
1h20
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire A beautiful countryside walk into the popular Dean Castle Country Park, taking in both Fenwick Water and Craufurdland Water. There are options to extend to visit the castle, Rural Life Centre, duck ponds and kids play area.
6.98km
+34m
-34m
2h05
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire A walk for the more adventurous! Quiet country roads quickly lead into the woodland of Craufurdland Estate. You will pass the fishing loch and the Laird’s Table cafe/restaurant, as well as cross a ford (using the footbridge!) The return leg of the walk is via a public right of way across farmland.
7.99km
+36m
-33m
2h25
Easy
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5.9km
+16m
-17m
1h45
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire This is a really pleasant walk on the outskirts of Kilmarnock. After crossing Caprington Golf Course past the historical ruin of Blackskye Tower you will follow a former railway track bed across a field to reach the small hamlet of Earlston. The next stop is Caprington Castle and surrounding woodlands finishing with a wander through the residential part of Caprington.
8.53km
+33m
-32m
2h30
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire A peaceful walk following the River Irvine between Kilmarnock and Gatehead, returning via the beautiful Caprington Woods and castle.
19.48km
+17m
-17m
5h35
Easy
Starting point in North Ayshire An entirely flat 12 mile circular walk makes for easy walking and feels surprisingly rural, often accompanied by either the Lugton Water, Annick Water or the River Irvine. Sights to look forward to include Eglinton Castle, the Cairnmount Hill standing stones, Sourlie Woods and Garnock Floods Wildlife Reserves, Robert Burns statue, plenty of bridges, and if you do it in summer, apple trees and wild flowers galore!
10.2km
+91m
-88m
3h10
Easy
Starting point in East Ayrshire This route first crosses Caprington Golf Course and then makes use of paved roads and paths to reach the 95 acre Coodham Estate just outside Symington. Take time to explore the Estate’s many interesting features and paths including the lake, mansion, shrine and graveyard, before starting the walk back to Kilmarnock via the high road past Stafflar Farm.
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