Walk 160 – Knock Hill Circular, Largs – 8 miles

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By combining both the High and Low route options of the Ayrshire Coastal Path at Largs, you can enjoy this circular route to the top of Knock Hill (268m / 879 ft) and back again. An easy first stage along Largs esplanade soon gives way to farm tracks and boggy hillside paths before a steep ascent to the summit trig point. Enjoy panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal Peninsula, southern Highlands, Isle of Cumbrae and Arran, as well as down into the town of Largs itself. The descent takes you West across farmland and through pleasant woodland then along a minor road behind Knock Castle. 

Print  Dog-friendly walk (some livestock possible at Brisbane Mains Farm and on the open hillside, please be a responsible dog owner)

Public car park at Largs seafront, just off A78/Gallowgate Street (KA30 8BG) – chargeable. Regular bus and train services to Largs. Largs train station is a 500m walk from the start point of the walk.

Knock Hill, Largs

WALK REPORT: 11th November 2017

My first (and so far only) walk with the Scottish Women’s Hiking and Hill Walking Facebook group. Unsurprisingly only open to women, is a very active and friendly informal group with regular group walks happening all over Scotland. Whether you are a beginner, looking to take the next step in your walking journey or already have bags of experience you will be made very welcome.

What a great turnout with 14 of us eager to see what Largs had to offer the hill walker! I had done parts of this route before a couple of times: the first many years ago when I distinctly remember getting lost on the way back down with my friend Kirsty, and more recently with my mum when I completed the final stage of the 100 mile Ayrshire Coastal Path. The bit I was keen to check out was the ‘Low Route’ since as far as I could recall this was the section I had yet to discover.

The event went really well and I met some amazing like-minded women. Who knew that there were so many crazy outdoorsy types like me out there?! The fact that I was familiar with the route came in very handy and the group started to look to me for navigation help when we reached the more remote section out on the open hillside. I was also chief photographer having taken along my trusty Nikon, and the self-timer was put to good use for some group shots! Only one minor mishap I can recall was one lady going knee-deep into a bog…. We even managed to have lunch at the summit whilst taking in the gorgeous panoramic views.

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We met in front of the Viking statue on Largs seafront
Known as Magnus, the statue was placed here in 2013 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs
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Goats and hens welcomed us at Brisbane Mains Farm!
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Stunning view across to the Cowal Peninsula as we made our way to the top of Knock Hill.
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Group shot at the summit, using the trig point as a tripod 😉 Isle of Cumbrae (Millport) behind us. The grassy hillside then became a great picnic spot as we stopped a while to have lunch and take in the views.
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A rare photo of myself on a walk (second from the left)
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Silhouette of the Isle of Arran on the way down
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Looking back towards the Knock from below
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Got to love a way-marker pic!

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