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.
Description
(S/E) The walk begins at the car park for Irvine Beach Park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA).
(1) Head South West out of the car park towards a tall white tower building and the entrance to the Beach Park. Pass a picnic area and the Coastguard building on your right-hand side and follow a sandy path onto the beach.
Walk South along the golden sands of Irvine Beach for approximately 3 miles until you reach a small burn flowing out over the sand just as you arrive into Barassie.
(2) You can cross this burn by way of a small footbridge slightly upstream and there is a path leading off the beach to the bridge and onwards to a grassy embankment.
Continue along this grassy embankment as far as you'd like. You are now separated from the beach by a row of vegetation. The residences of Barassie will be on your left and the Firth of Clyde on your right. There are several benches along the embankment which provide a pleasant place to stop, admire the views and enjoy a snack.
Return to Irvine Beach Park car park via the same route. (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Irvine Beach Park car park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA)
- 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 4 m - Picnic area and Coastguard building
- 2 : km 4.79 - alt. 2 m - Footbridge across the burn
- S/E : km 10.56 - alt. 3 m - Irvine Beach Park car park, Beach Drive (KA12 8FA)
Useful Information
Dunes Path
If the weather is against you, you may wish to return via the more sheltered Dunes Path. This sandy path runs parallel to the beach and because you are behind the sand dunes, you are protected from the worst of the wind. Locate it approximately halfway along Irvine Beach at OS grid reference NS 315 365 - look out for the green Ayrshire Coastal Path way markers.
Amenities
Public toilets and tuck shop are available at the Coastguard building, which is located at the north end of Irvine Beach near the car park. These are only open during the operational hours of the Coastguards.
Click here for more information and a walk review.
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
- Dragon viewpoint - look out for the stone dragon perched on top of the sand dunes. There is a path up to it and it is a fantastic viewpoint, well worth a short de-tour. The dragon is said to be guarding the coastline from future Viking invasions!
- The Isle of Arran is often visible to the West
- Irvine Beach is popular with horse riders
- At the North end of Irvine Beach you will find the Beach Park which has a network of footpaths, a small pond, outdoor gym equipment and a mini golf area (bring your own equipment)
- Visit at dusk to see the abundance of rabbits which live in and around the Beach Park
- West is best for..... sunsets - watch the sun go down behind Arran from Irvine Beach
Reviews and comments
Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Glad you enjoyed the walk along Irvine Beach! I also find that the further I walk from Irvine the fewer people I see, which is sometimes just what you are looking for :-)
Date of walk : 31/03/24
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
I had a wonderful walk from Irvine beach to Barassie on Saturday. It was just what I needed that day. Beautiful scenery, sunshine, and not too many people! On the way back, I hardly saw anybody until I got close to Irvine once more.
