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.
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: 5h30–11h30
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.
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.
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: 3h–6h
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.
Johnstone to Bishopton (Renfrewshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Rutherglen to East Kilbride (Lanarkshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.
Cambuslang to Uddingston (Lanarkshire)
45 minutes from Kilmarnock, with one change.