Walks near Ardrossan by train
Ayrshire · Scotland
Stations: Ardrossan Town · Ardrossan Harbour · Ardrossan South Beach
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Ardrossan and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Ardrossan.
Partick (Rail) to Bowling (Lanarkshire)
1 hour from Ardrossan South Beach, with one change.
Easy, flat Kelvin Walkway and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath out of Glasgow, Kelvin Aqueduct to Bowling, through varied landscape and habitat.
Warnings: Towpath can be slippery after rain; good footwear advised.
Walk details: ScotRail (tips).
Wemyss Bay to Largs (Renfrewshire)
15 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Recommended: Wonderful views out across the Firth of Clyde to the islands and the Cowal Peninsula. Walks almost entirely on quiet tarmacked back lanes with verges and hedges full of wild flowers and well above the busy coast road. Easy going overall with a few quite steep uphill sections. Wemyss Bay has one of the most beautiful railway stations in the country.
Coastal: four fifths along the coast.
Time: 3h–6h
Lunch: No facilities along the way (other than a bus stop north of Skelmorlie Bridge); cafe and toilets at Wemyss Bay and plenty at Largs.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Reverse direction: Railwalks.
Irvine to Kilmarnock (Ayrshire)
15 minutes from Ardrossan South Beach, with one change.
Recommended: Predominantly flat and on good surfaces, following riverside paths along the River Irvine and Annick Water and then a long straight former-railway cycle track and a few kilometres of farmland. Makes good use of underpasses; well signed as cycle route 73. Follows National Cycle Route 73 and is suitable for cycling. The riverside is tucked away through trees and grassland and is rich in nature.
Time: 3h30–7h30
1 lunch spot: the Brae
Warnings: Building work near the river at the Irvine end means some areas are cordoned off; the riverside route itself is unaffected. Giant hogweed grows beside the path in places and should be avoided as it has a nasty sting.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
West Kilbride to Fairlie (Ayrshire)
6 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
West Kilbride to Dalry (Ayrshire)
6 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Largs to West Kilbride (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Beautiful scenery. Pavements and coastal footpaths out of Largs, then mostly tarmac forest tracks and estate roads inland, with sections of foot/cycle path beside the A78. Easy walking surfaces throughout and with a final uphill stretch on Drummilling Road. A tidal lagoon along the route is full of birdlife. The author has not walked it on the ground.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 3h30–7h
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. The route crosses the busy A78 twice with no formal pedestrian crossings; take care. Drummilling Road into West Kilbride has no verge and blind summits and corners, so walk with care.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Saltcoats to Dalry (Ayrshire)
2 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Saltcoats to Irvine (Ayrshire)
2 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Stevenston to Dalry (Ayrshire)
4 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Stevenston to Irvine (Ayrshire)
4 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Kilwinning to Stewarton (Ayrshire)
8 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.
Dalry to Stewarton (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Ardrossan South Beach.