Walking And Hiking

If you're into walking, cycling and the great outdoors, Ayrshire and the Isles of Arran and Cumbrae are great places to bring your walking boots and bikes and head off into the open countryside.

But you don't have to be a hardened enthusiast to take advantage of what's on offer. Walkers have a choice of hillwalking and rambling while Arran poses greater challenges of ridge walking, mountaineering and the Coastal Way.

Anyone looking for gentler pace, though, will find it in the form of numerous nature trails, coastal walks and waymarked country paths. There are easy walks to well known local landmarks and seasonal ranger-led walks from some of Ayrshire and Arran's country parks.

Ayrshire shares the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and the Galloway Forest Park with neighbouring counties and both provide a beautiful setting for walking or cycling.

The National Cycling Network has routes in Ayrshire passing through some of the most scenic countryside and making use of off the road tracks and waterside paths wherever possible.
 
As well as the various paths and cycle routes around the county Ayrshire is on part of the National Cycle Route. Route 7 passes into Ayrshire from the Galloway Forest and travels through Maybole, Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Irvine and Kilwinning. In addition a spur route has been formed linking Kilmarnock to the National Cycle route via a pathway to Irvine, route 73. You can also take an additional spur route 73 from Kilwinning to Ardrossan to catch the ferry to Arran.