Walks you can reach from Glengarnock by train

Recommended: Ayrshire Coastal Path with a 1.6-mile inland walk to the station.

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

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

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

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.

Coast path — Ayrshire Coastal Path all the way.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

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

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

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.

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

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

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.

Stunning views to Arran. A scenic dunes-and-beach route: sandy paths through the dunes (tough going), a long stretch of beach with a few drainage channels to cross and then mown grass and pavement past the marina into Troon. Beautiful and varied with just enough challenge. Possible at high tide; in windy conditions you can walk in the dunes nearer Irvine.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

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

Lunch: No facilities along the way; plenty at either end.

Warnings: Lengthy sections of soft sand make for challenging walking.

Walk details: Slow Ways.