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: 2h–4h30

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: 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.

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.

Time: 3h–5h30

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 6h–11h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 8h30–17h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h–8h

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h–6h

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal: half along the coast.

Time: 2h30–5h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h30

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30–8h30

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.