Walks you can reach from Johnstone by train

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

Walk details: 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.

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.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

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.

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

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal: half along the coast.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coast path — Ayrshire Coastal Path all the way.

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

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.