This walk is part of the trek Ayrshire Coastal Path.
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.
(D/A) From Troon Yacht Marina walk out the main exit on to Harbour Road. Turn left (East) and walk along Harbour Road to a roundabout.
(1) Continue straight on at the roundabout then almost immediately look out for a grassy footpath on your left which takes you away from the main road for a short distance.
(2) Emerging onto North Shore Road next to a car park, turn left (North East) and walk along the pavement for a short distance before merging onto the cycle path running parallel to the B746/North Shore Road.
(3) Follow the cycle path for 1.4km into Barassie. Where the cycle path takes a right turn towards the train station, keep walking ahead (North) along the grass.
(4) Beyond the last houses cross a footbridge over a burn and then head down onto the sandy beach.
The next 4.5km is an easy walk along Irvine Beach.
(5) When you reach the car park at the north end of the beach, turn right (North East) along a sandy ramp which leads past the Coastguard building and out to the roundabout on Beach Drive.
(6) From the roundabout head North onto the promenade - there should be a large car park on your right-hand side and the River Irvine should be on your left.
Turn right (North East) and walk along the promenade and onto Harbour Street.
(7) At the Scottish Maritime Museum, Harbour Street becomes Montgomery Street.
At the end of Montgomery Street turn left (North) to walk along the pavement on Cochrane Street, a row of houses on your left-hand side.
(8) Go around Victoria roundabout in a clockwise direction, coming off at Church Street and following the pavement beneath the railway bridge.
You will arrive outside Fullarton Parish Church where you should follow the pavement left (North West) parallel to the slip road off Marress Roundabout.
(9) After 300m this lane ends and you should turn right (East) to go through an underpass, then continuing ahead onto Waterside Road.
(A). Cross Waterside Road to a footbridge over the River Irvine - crossing the bridge takes you to Low Green, Irvine where this walk ends.
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 5m - Troon Yacht Marina
1 : km 0.57 - alt. 6m - Grassy footpath
2 : km 1.48 - alt. 3m - Cycle path
3 : km 2.89 - alt. 2m - Cycle path turns right towards train station
4 : km 3.87 - alt. 2m - Footbridge
5 : km 8.47 - alt. 2m - Sandy ramp to Coastguard building
6 : km 8.67 - alt. 2m - Promenade
7 : km 9.74 - alt. 4m - Scottish Maritime Museum
8 : km 10.33 - alt. 6m - Railway bridge
9 : km 10.75 - alt. 5m - Underpass
A : km 10.95 - alt. 5m - Low Green, Irvine
For more information and a route review visit Gillian's Walks
Transport
Amenities
Terrain
Roadside pavement, cycle path, grassy footpath, sandy beach, promenade.
You can purchase the official Ayrshire Coastal Path guidebook from their website.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Sandy Irvine Beach is wild, beautiful and seems to go on and on forever! In fact it stretches 3 miles along to Barassie. You can choose to walk all the way to Barassie and back, or if you are looking for a shorter walk, just go as far as you want to before turning back. Lined with high sand dunes and the Isle of Arran visible to the west, the beach here is popular with locals out for some fresh air and exercise.
This easy linear walk starts in Milgarholm Park, Irvine and ends on Munro Avenue, Kilmarnock. Since it is a cycle track it is great for buggies.
Beginning with an easy inland section along the NCN7 cycle track between Irvine and Stevenston, this walk then returns to the coast for the second half. Expect beautiful sandy beaches, wide concrete promenades and pavements. On the coastal section the Isle of Arran will accompany you to the west on a clear day! When passing, delve into local history by taking some time to read the plaques along the walls of the former Ardrossan bathing pool and boating ponds.
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.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.