Walks near Kilmarnock by train
Ayrshire · Scotland
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Kilmarnock and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Kilmarnock.
Partick (Rail) to Bowling (Lanarkshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Easy, flat Kelvin Walkway and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath out of Glasgow, Kelvin Aqueduct to Bowling, through varied landscape and habitat.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Towpath can be slippery after rain; good footwear advised.
Walk details: ScotRail (tips).
Stewarton to Barrhead (Ayrshire)
9 minutes direct from Kilmarnock.
New Cumnock to Sanquhar (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Kilmarnock.
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.
Time: 7h30 (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
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.
Maybole to Ayr (Ayrshire)
45 minutes direct from Kilmarnock.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 8h30 (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Maybole to New Cumnock (Ayrshire)
45 minutes direct from Kilmarnock.
Girvan to Maybole (Ayrshire)
1 hour direct from Kilmarnock.
Barassie to Irvine (Ayrshire)
15 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Coast path — Ayrshire Coastal Path all the way.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Railwalks.
Irvine to Troon (Ayrshire)
30 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
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.
Kilwinning to Stewarton (Ayrshire)
30 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for three fifths of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Johnstone to Bishopton (Renfrewshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for half of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Rutherglen to East Kilbride (Lanarkshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Cambuslang to Uddingston (Lanarkshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
A route following the Clyde Walkway between the two stations. Follows the Clyde Walkway.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Slow Ways.