Best walks from Kilwinning
Ayrshire · Scotland
MapJump on a train, get off at Kilwinning Station and lose yourself in a beautiful hike for the day.
Stevenston Station to Kilwinning Station
Quiet roads and a section of path through a sports club and with a little main-road and housing-edge walking. Dubbs Road (part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path) is closed to motor traffic and pleasant to walk. Follows Dubbs Road, which is part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Buses run near the meeting point.
4km.
Crossing the busy B752 is straightforward as it is well positioned for pedestrians.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Kilwinning Station to Irvine Station
Mostly a well-marked tarmac cycle path (NCN Route 7) beside the Rivers Garnock and Irvine, with a wooded riverside path and an underpass or two. Some compressed earth and gravel and plus a short stretch of quiet road with no pavement and some steps at the Kilwinning start. Follows National Cycle Network Route 7/73 for most of its length, passing the Garnock Floods nature reserve. Mostly wheelchair accessible apart from the Kilwinning start.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
An infestation of giant hogweed grows close to the path beyond the recycling centre; it has a nasty sting, so avoid touching it. The short Kilwinning start has steps and a narrow path off the cycle route (bypassable via NCN7), plus a brief stretch of pavement-less road. Several road crossings near Irvine, particularly at Sandy Road/B779.
Lunch: No facilities along the way; plenty at either end.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Kilwinning Station to Stewarton Station
13km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Dalry Station to Kilwinning Station
Mainly winding country roads bordered by woodland and farmland, with no pavement for almost the whole stretch, then a former railway line crossing a tall viaduct and a packed-soil riverbank path near Kilwinning. Wild-flower verges and several restored old buildings. The disused railway section is part of the Garnock Valley Cycle Route.
Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.
There is no pavement for virtually the whole road section, so take care on the winding country lanes. The riverbank path near Kilwinning is poor underfoot; an easy estate-road alternative exists. Cross Lauchlan Way carefully as there is no pedestrian crossing.