Walks you can reach from Fairlie by train

Recommended: Great route, outstanding views throughout. Tarmac and packed-earth paths through woodland and a glen, a short grassy stretch behind houses, a more challenging section through dunes and a multi-use path beside the A78. Finishes on streets down to the harbour. There are lovely views across to Arran, Goat Fell and Ailsa Craig; you can choose to walk on the beach to get further from the traffic.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Moka

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. The path through the dunes behind the holiday park is a little more challenging underfoot.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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.

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: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for four fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 7h30 (6h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 11h (8h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 1h break)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for two fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal: half along the coast.

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for three fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.