The 17 miles between the Ayrshire towns of Troon and Ardrossan are what simple, stress-free coastal walking should be all about. Any ascents are negligible and the going includes gorgeous beaches, woodland and riverside paths. All of which allows the walker to enjoy the stunning scenery, varied wildlife and attractive, historically interesting towns; fishermen, shipbuilders, the Romans, monks and even masons have all left their mark along this route. A wonderful six miles of beach stretches from Troon to Irvine, before heading inland along riverbanks – with herons, moorhens and kingfishers for company – to eventually reach the historic town of Kilwinning and its magnificent abbey. You then return to the coast through the Ayrshire Three Towns of Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan, with the incredible view of Arran’s ragged profile rising from the Firth of Clyde.
[1] From Troon train station (NS325309), follow Barassie Street onto North Shore Road at Barassie. Walk onto the beach, turn right and enjoy six wonderful miles of beach walking all the way to Irvine – the sand is firm underfoot and you’ll have Arran’s celebrated profile providing an exceptional view. As Irvine is approached, pass the conspicuous Dragon sculpture and continue to reach the Automatic Tide Station (NS304378).
[2] Leave the beach, walk through a car park into Irvine’s historic old town and walk along Harbour Street, which merges into Montgomery Street. Follow the road into Cochrane Street and, at Victoria roundabout, go around to the right underneath a railway bridge to Marress roundabout. Turn left onto Double Dykes Road (A737), follow this underneath an underpass onto a cycle-track to reach a metal bridge (NS316392). Cross the bridge over the River Irvine, turn left and continue alongside the river, the path passing underneath the A737 to reach a fork at a Robert Burns statue. Bear left and follow the path to a way-marked sign at a minor road. Cross the road, take the right-hand path and continue through mixed woodland to Sandy Road. Turn left and walk along the pavement, passing Garnock Wildlife Reserve, to a bridge crossing the River Garnock (NS307418).
[3] Once across the bridge, turn right and cross Sandy Road onto a good track, continuing through mixed woodland and under the A78. A lovely riverbank path leads to a junction. Turn left, walk 100m and turn right at a signpost for Kilwinning/Ardrossan. Continue above the River Garnock to reach a flight of steps at Kilwinning. Climb the steps, turn right, head along Dovecot Lane, turn left into Kilwinning Main Street and then left to the impressive Kilwinning Abbey (NS306433).
[4] Return to the Kilwinning/Ardrossan signpost. Turn right for Ardrossan and follow the path to a road. Cross here and continue on the path through a short section of woodland to reach a Core Path signpost for Dubbs Road (NS301421). A single-track road then runs through attractive countryside, passing Todhill Community Woodland, to reach the end of Dubbs Road at the B752 (NS276420). Carefully cross the road onto a lovely woodland path, which leads onto open parkland to Stevenston at Moorpark Road East. Turn left onto Station Road and follow the pavement over the level crossing at Stevenston train station. Once past Ardeer Church, cross Caledonian Road onto Shore Road and take the right fork. Follow Shore Road to its end, turn right and go through a car park to a bridge which crosses a river onto Stevenston beach (NS266411).
[5] Turn right and follow the soft sand with further stunning views of Arran to a sea wall at Saltcoats. Climb up from the beach onto a pavement and walk above the shore through Saltcoats. Go straight on at a waymarked sign, then turn right at a second sign onto the promenade at the southern end of Ardrossan. Walk along the promenade around Ardrossan South Bay to reach Ardrossan Town train station (NS231421).