The Route
From top to bottom over the sea, the total length of the County of Ayrshire is 55 miles, while its curved coastline measures 84 miles (134 km). Fortuitously, the topography of the broad bights of Ayr and Irvine Bays, with their low-lying hinterland, provides an almost uninterrupted beach walk from Largs to Girvan - almost three-quarters of the entire route. However, from Glen App to Girvan, Dunure to Ayr and north of Largs, the going can be rough over hill tracks and rocky shores.
The Ayrshire Coastal Path is essentially a practical ‘route’ rather than a laid-out formal path.
Especially in the south, it is primarily a path suitable only for well-equipped agile walkers, since many stretches along cliff-tops and rough stony beaches are not suitable for cyclists or horses.
South of Glenapp it connects with the Lochryan Coastal Path which takes walkers as far as Stranraer and the Southern Upland Way.
Features on the route
Fantastic Coastal Scenery - ever-changing vistas - especially from South to North.
Wildlife - wild flowers, 135 species of bird listed in the Guide Book , seals, otters, roe deer and foxes.
Peace and Quiet - small fishing villages such as Ballantrae, Maidens and Dunure.
Heritage Sites: Ayrshire has a tremendous range of historical sites, from the fantastic - like Tam o Shanter’s Auld Brig o Doon and ‘Sawney Bean’s Cave’ at Bennane Head; to the factual - such as historic Turnberry, Culzean, Dunure, Greenan, Dundonald, Seagate, Ardrossan, Portencross and Kelburn Castles, many of which are on the route - as are the Maritime Museum in Irvine and Vikingar in Largs.
Others only require a small detour - e.g. the Burns Heritage Centre at Alloway; the Smugglers’ Path from Troon to Dundonald Castle; and Kilwinning Abbey. In Ayr, St John’s Tower, Cromwell’s Fort, Loudoun Hall, Lady Cathcart’s House, the Auld Kirk and the Auld Brig, are all within a few yards of the Tourist Office in Sandgate.