Walks you can reach from Dunlop by train

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.

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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Glorious views all around; rewarding views. A long route with lots of tarmac but lovely scenery. A quiet road climbs steadily out of New Cumnock onto a well-maintained forestry track, then a short, slightly unclear grassy path through long grass at the top, before cinder and tarmac tracks descend to Kirkconnel. A short stretch of the A76 (with pavement) and then quiet country roads into Sanquhar. Kirkconnel has a supermarket, toilets and a bench. The route passes a former quarry and wind turbines with a well-signposted work site at the top.

Lunch: Kirkconnel, roughly mid-route, has a supermarket and toilets.

Warnings: Pathhead has no pavement; the road is fairly straight with good visibility but care is needed for passing farm and windfarm traffic. One short section of long grass at the high point is a little unclear.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Country lanes, tracks and field paths through farmland and woodland and with a particularly fine wooded stretch through Dundonald. One straight field section can be very muddy and is best bypassed. The Colennan-to-Dundonald section is part of the official Smugglers Trail. Dundonald Woods is an SSSI. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The section between Newfield Mains and Rowanhill runs through the middle of a livestock field and is very muddy even in dry weather and impassable when wet; continue via East Lodge and Cherryknowe instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A connecting route that takes a busy B road out of Stewarton with insufficient verge to walk on throughout; the final section into Kilmarnock is safer on pavemented roads.

Warnings: A long section out of Stewarton runs along busy B roads where you must often walk on the carriageway and hop onto the verge as cars pass; vegetation, banking and drainage ditches make the verge unusable in places. Stay attentive, especially if visibility is poor. Unsuitable for those of limited mobility or wary of traffic.

Walk details: Slow Ways.