Walking and Cycling in Ayrshire

Walking and cycling along the paths, over the hillsides, and through the villages of Ayrshire is perhaps one of the finest ways to experience the real Ayrshire. Historic castles and ancient monuments grace many of the routes, some of which are traditional rights-of-way dating back hundreds of years.

Ayrshire's landscapes range from lush rolling hillsides to white sandy shores, majestic craggy cliffs and waves, medieval forests, dramatic moorlands and small friendly villages.
Many walks are sensitively managed, well sign-posted routes for all capabilities of walker and cyclist. Routes include Ayr, Irvine, Muirkirk, Largs, Dailly, Dalry, Irvine Valley, Girvan, Straiton, Barr, Dalmellington and Cumbrae. There are also great cycle paths.

Whether you are visiting Ayrshire or passing through on the National Cycle Route, spend some time experiencing the real Ayrshire.

For more information visit www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk

Forestry Walks

A two way forest drive connecting Loch Doon with Stinchar Bridge. It offers one of the easiest ways of becoming more familiar with some of Ayrshire’s finest mountain scenery. There are Viewpoints along the length of the drive offer fantastic panoramas of the Galloway Hills and there are various picnic spots and an adventure play area at Loch Riecawr.
The Carrick Forest Drive can be started from Loch Doon Car Park in Carrick which is part of Galloway Forest Park. Dalmellington is the nearest village.

For more information visit www.forestry.gov.uk or www.ayrshire-arran.com/itineraries/walking/

Carrick

Carrick is a welcoming wood, with facilities to help you enjoy its unique atmosphere, to picnic in the open air, and to relax beside its tranquil lochs and view its remote hills.

The forest is home to the scarce Black Grouse, roe deer, badgers and woodland birds. The wild and remote moorlands beyond the forest are the haunt of golden eagles, red deer and feral goats.

Carrick is part of Galloway Forest Park. Straiton is the nearest town or village.

Lochgoil

At the end of the last century, Lochgoilhead was described as ‘not easily surpassed for beauty of situation and its fine scenery’.
After only a few hundred metres on this winding single-track road, dropping into Gleann-Mor, you feel as if you have been plunged into the remotest parts of the West Highlands.
In spring these woods gleam with fresh green leaves and fairly pulsate with bird song. Loch Goil is part of Argyll Forest Park. Lochgoilhead is the nearest town or village.

Glen Trool

Glen Trool, Galloway's jewel in the crown, with its wild beauty and fascinating history. Home to South Scotland's highest mountain - the magnificent Merrick. Climb the Merrick and stand on top of Galloway and enjoy views of lonely hill lochs like Enoch and Neldricken or gaze down along ridges with names like Rig of the Gloon. Walk beside Loch Trool where battles were lost and won. Walk or cycle the Glen Trool trails and find out more about this wild and fascinating corner of Galloway. Glen Trool is part of Galloway Forest Park. Glen Trool is the nearest town or village.

Culzean Castle

Culzean is one of Scotland's best loved Castles, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Situated on the South Ayrshire coast, just off the A719, Culzean Castle is located 12 miles south of Ayr and 4 miles west of Maybole. Culzean has a long tradition of welcoming local people, members of The National Trust for Scotland and holiday makers from all around the world.

There are regular scheduled ranger lead walsk around the magnificent estate and these can be checked out at the website at www.culzeanexperience.org/