Ayrshire Coastal Path

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!

Technical sheet

22259841
A South Ayrshire walk posted on 24/05/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 12/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 263.01 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 12 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,163 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,220 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 197 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐
    District: South Ayrshire 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.028792° / W 5.014834°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.099553° / W 5.007154°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…
Coastline
Coastline
Portencross Castle
Portencross pier and coastline

Step by step walk

This walk needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. E

Useful Information

For more information and a walk report visit Gillian's Walks.

The Ayrshire Coastal Path was created by the Rotary Club of Ayr, and has always been managed and maintained exclusively by volunteers. They work tirelessly to ensure that the trail is well maintained for the enjoyment of thousands of locals and visitors alike. Please show your support by purchasing a copy of the official Ayrshire Coastal Path Guide Book which contains up-to-date route information as well as a wealth of information on the history and geography of the area.

Terrain
A mixture of beach promenades, old coach roads, cliff-top paths and various on-beach surfaces including sand, pebbles and rocks.

Tides
There are some short coastal sections which become impassable at high tide. It is therefore important to check tide times before setting off. See individual route sections for more info.

You may also wish to visit the official Ayrshire Coastal Path website

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • Superb coastal scenery: views to Ailsa Craig and the Clyde islands including the Isle of Arran and Isle of Cumbrae
  • Old fishing harbours
  • Smuggler's caves
  • Open Championship golf courses
  • Castles
  • Nature Reserves
  • Yacht marinas
  • Coastal birdlife and diverse flora
  • Coastal geology
  • Ancient woodland
  • Fragile dune and heathland ecology
  • Seals
  • Basking sharks
  • Roe deer
  • Otters

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…