Walk 22 – Prestwick to Troon Sea & Golf Route (7.8 miles)

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This route follows the Ayrshire Coastal Path, running alongside both Prestwick and Royal Troon Golf courses. The return leg forms a semi-loop by joining the NCN7 cycle track and then the Smuggler's Trail across Royal Troon Golf Course. Enjoy the stunning views out across the Firth of Clyde!

TERRAIN: Sandy beach and footpaths, surfaced tracks, promenade, cycle path, golf course. Two kissing gates. 

Print  Dog-friendly walk (I would suggest returning to Prestwick via the same route rather than completing the loop – this means almost the entire walk will be along sandy beaches)

Parking available at Prestwick sea front – next to KidzPlay (KA9 1QG). Train services between Prestwick and Troon

Prestwick to Troon

WALK REVIEW: 17th March 2016

A child-free day and so many walks to choose from!! No time restrictions and no need for buggies! I picked a route I had never tried before, surprising considering the number of times I have been to Prestwick. If you like golf, you will love this walk: it passes alongside both Prestwick and Royal Troon Golf courses, even crossing Royal Troon on the return leg. If you aren’t so keen on golf you will still love the walk for it’s views out across the Firth of Clyde 🙂

There is something to be said for walking alone: I like to call it ‘thinking time’, and as today progressed a couple of things were mulling around in my head….

There was a lot of litter lying around the beach and sand dunes. Most likely debris washed up during the recent storms. I couldn’t help but wonder if the council employs people to clear up or if there are private companies who do so? Perhaps only on the most populated stretches of beach? I realise it would be an endless job, with new debris being washed ashore with each tide. But what if there were teams of people on all beaches in Scotland whose job it was to keep the area litter-free, wouldn’t that make a difference? I would be interested in volunteering to do this work a couple of times a month if I knew that there were others happy to do the same. I would love to see a team of us covering the whole of  Ayrshire working to keep the area clean. We should be proud of the beautiful coastline we have here in Ayrshire and do all we can to preserve it. Just a thought…. 🙂

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Ironically, this notice is attached to a gate along the route

During my walk I met a chatty, cheery man out walking 4 large dogs. I assumed they belonged to him because they seemed extremely protective over him (2 of them didn’t seem very sure of me and made sure I kept my distance from the man, either that or they thought I had some treats for them) It turns out that he runs a local dog-walking company. What struck me was this: it was obvious that he was in his element down here with the dogs, rarely have I come across someone who looked happier than this man did – isn’t it amazing that he is able to earn an income by turning 2 of his passions into a business! I don’t own a dog, nor am I really a ‘dog person’, but this guy’s cheery demeanor actually made me come home and look up his company to find out more about them. Based on that one interaction, I wouldn’t hesitate to use their services if I was a dog owner! This is exactly what I want to achieve in life – to earn a living doing something that makes me THAT happy!  Imagine if everyone loved their work this much…. I only met him for a few minutes, but he really inspired me.

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Sandy path along the grassy embankment starting at Kidzplay. Lovely views from up here!
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Small bridge leading to the caravan park
After the caravan park you emerge onto this beautiful sandy beach between Prestwick and Troon. This picture does it proud, however just out of the shot there was a lot of debris and litter lying which looked to have been washed in during the recent stormy weather.
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This is the crossroads you come to after following the signs for the cycle track in Troon – my route turns right here
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The cycle track then continues alongside the railway all the way to Prestwick. My route follows it for a short distance and then cuts off through Royal Troon Golf Course. I just love this yellow flowering gorse bush in early Spring! Brightens up many a walk 🙂
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View out to the Firth of Clyde on the return to Prestwick

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