Walks you can reach from Johnstone by train
Renfrewshire · Scotland
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Johnstone.
Ardrossan to West Kilbride (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Recommended: Ayrshire Coastal Path with a 1.6-mile inland walk to the station.
Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Railwalks.
Irvine to Kilmarnock (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Johnstone.
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.
West Kilbride to Dalry (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for four fifths of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Dalry to Stewarton (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Kilwinning to Stewarton (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for three fifths of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Irvine to Troon (Ayrshire)
15 minutes direct from Johnstone.
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.
Stevenston to Dalry (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Stevenston to Irvine (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Barassie to Irvine (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Coast path — Ayrshire Coastal Path all the way.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Railwalks.
Saltcoats to Dalry (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Saltcoats to Irvine (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Troon to Kilmarnock (Ayrshire)
30 minutes direct from Johnstone.
Country lanes, tracks and field paths through farmland and woodland and with a particularly fine wooded stretch through Dundonald. One straight field section can be very muddy and is best bypassed. The Colennan-to-Dundonald section is part of the official Smugglers Trail. Dundonald Woods is an SSSI.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: The section between Newfield Mains and Rowanhill runs through the middle of a livestock field and is very muddy even in dry weather and impassable when wet; continue via East Lodge and Cherryknowe instead.
Walk details: Slow Ways.