AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN COASTAL PATHS | Cicerone hiking guide

hiking guide

The fantastic Ayrshire Coastal Path strikes its course for 94 miles from Glenapp in the south to Skelmorlie in the north. Add this to the Arran Coastal Path, which circumnavigates its way round that magical island for 60 miles, and what you have is truly magnificent long distance coastal walk.

The Ayrshire and Arran Coastal paths travel over some beaches (and beautiful beaches at that) but this route also journeys across a magnificent and diverse landscape that is home to some remarkable scenery. While a substantial portion of the route takes you away from the well-beaten track, it enables walkers to observe the rugged beauty of the coastline and enjoy its peace and quiet.  

The route can be walked in 11 days by an average walker but, despite being well waymarked, a substantial portion crosses some surprisingly remote ground, open moorland and rocky terrain, so reasonable map and navigational skills are a prerequisite. The route is well served by an excellent public transport infrastructure so it can be broken down into lovely one or two-day sections.

The Aryshire and Arran Coastal Paths has primarily been written as a continuous route, although each section can be walked as a day route using the areas excellent public transport. Each day has been written to finish where accommodation, meals and provisions are easily attainable.

The routes can be walked at any time of the year, but the months between April and October offer the best conditions to enjoy them. The spring, summer and autumn months also provide the best opportunities to view the wonderful plants and animals en route and allow the walks to proceed in, hopefully, reasonable weather.