Portencross to Largs

Portencross is arguably one of the best places from which to view the Isle of Arran! The Isle of Cumbrae quickly takes it’s place as you progress towards Largs via the industrial grounds of Hunterston and the pretty town of Fairlie. Much of this walk is along cycle tracks, pavements and minor roads.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Ayrshire Coastal Path

Technical sheet

22637154
A North Ayshire walk posted on 03/06/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 09/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.29 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 21 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 21 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 17 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
  • ⚐
    District: North Ayshire 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.69842° / W 4.903163°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.777086° / W 4.857855°

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Coastline
Coastline
Portencross Castle
Portencross pier and coastline

Description

(S) Exit Portencross car park onto the road and turn left (North West).

(1) Continue along the road for 200m, past the road down to Portencross Castle (recommend taking the short de-tour to see it though!)

After the cottages, turn left (North West) to go onto a gravel footpath leading towards the water.

Walk North along the track, the steep banks of the Three Sisters to your right-hand side.

(2) After 1.3km you will arrive at a gate and a small parking area.

Continue ahead (North) along Power Station Road. After 1km at a roundabout continue ahead to stay on Power Station Road.

(3) Another 1.2km along the road you will reach a fork. Keep left (North East) to continue along Power Station Road.

(4) Approx 900m further turn left (East) to come off the road and onto a tree-lined path which leads to a pavement along the busy A78/Irvine Road.

Turn left (North) and follow the NCN757 cycle path for 2.5km to the outskirts of Fairlie.

(5) After passing Southanan Sands take the first road on the left (North East) towards a small parking and picnic area .

Skirt past the car park and picnic area to cross a footbridge over Fairlie Burn.

From here a path runs alongside a high stone wall, allowing easy progress around the bay.

(6) After 800m, a short section of which is along the sandy beach, use the ramp to walk onto Bay Street.

(7) Turn left (North) and at the end of the street turn right (South East) onto Pier Road, heading towards Fairlie Parish Church.

Before the church, turn left (East) to reach the A78/Main Road. Turn left (North) on Main Street and continue along the pavement for 1km.

(8) Shortly after crossing the Kel Burn turn left (West) go to through a railway underpass.

(E) The track (lined with different types of anchors!) continues along the side of Largs Yacht Haven for 800m to Largs Yacht Haven car park.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Portencross car park
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 5 m - Road to Portencross Castle
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 4 m - Gate at small parking area
  4. 3 : km 4.13 - alt. 3 m - Fork - keep left
  5. 4 : km 5.08 - alt. 11 m - Tree-lined path
  6. 5 : km 7.9 - alt. 4 m - Parking and picnic area, Fairlie
  7. 6 : km 8.79 - alt. 6 m - Ramp onto Bay Street
  8. 7 : km 9.15 - alt. 13 m - Fairlie Parish Church
  9. 8 : km 10.33 - alt. 4 m - Railway underpass
  10. E : km 11.29 - alt. 3 m - Largs Yacht Haven

Useful Information

For more information and a route review visit Gillian's Walks

Transport

  • Car parks at Portencross and Largs Yacht Haven
  • Train services between West Kilbride (3.7km away from Portencross) and Largs (2.4km from end of walk), adding an extra 6km onto the total walk distance. There is also a train station in Fairlie, just a 5 minute walk from the route.

Amenities

  • Cafes, shops and restaurants in Largs
  • Public toilets along the route in Fairlie and at Largs Pencil

Terrain
Pavements, gravel track, cycle path, sandy beach

You can purchase the official Ayrshire Coastal Path guidebook from their 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

  • Portencross Castle
  • Views to the Isle of Arran and Isles of Cumbrae
  • Hunterston Nuclear Power Station
  • Southanan Sands
  • Fairlie village
  • Fairlie Castle
  • Kelburn Castle Country Park
  • Largs Yacht Haven

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
Non utilisé
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Gillian's Walks
Gillian's Walks

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review!

Delphinium
Delphinium

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 15/10/23
Clarity of route description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Just walked the first part of this route along the coastline. It was really pleasant.

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

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