Walk 29 – River Ayr Way (Annbank to Failford) – 7 miles

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This 7-mile stretch of the River Ayr Way between Annbank and Failford is a rewarding journey through South Ayrshire’s tranquil rural landscapes. From the dramatic red sandstone river valley in the Ayr Gorge Woodland Reserve to the towering Enterkine Viaduct, the walk combines striking natural features with fascinating glimpses of local history. Along the way, enjoy peaceful riverside trails, woodland paths carpeted with wildflowers, and the charm of rural villages. Well-maintained signage ensures easy navigation, while landmarks like Highland Mary’s Monument add cultural depth to this beautiful and varied route.

NOTICE – There is a permanent diversion in place on this section due to several landslides on the riverside trail around Stair. The diversion is signposted – it takes you along the B730 and onto pleasant country roads and farm tracks to re-join the river at Daldorch Farm. It doesn’t add on any distance but does take you away from the river for approx 1.5 miles and is quite hilly. Diversion has two stiles and a cattle grid.

Need a shorter walk? Option to split this section in two by stopping in Stair. Annbank to Stair is approx 3 miles, then Stair to Failford 4.5 miles. Note that the village of Stair is approx half a mile off the official route. No public transport to Stair so you’d need a car at each end or walk back.

TERRAIN: This is a moderately challenging route – it’s pretty hilly (500 ft ascent/descent) and there are lots of steps, some with handrails and many without. There are at least 4 kissing gates, mostly close to the start of the walk, and there are 2 stiles at Daldorch, the first of which has quite a high step onto the lower level. This route has a mixture of woodland trails, surfaced roads, and farm tracks. Several sections of boardwalk. Two particularly boggy parts: the worst one is where the route leaves the river just south of Stair (can be avoided by walking along the field-edge instead – there is a wooden gate at the other side, or the wire fence can easily be climbed) and the other just south of Ayr Gorge Woodlands.

  There is no public transport between Annbank and Failford. I recommend using the town of Ayr as a base in order to use public transport for this route. There are regular buses between Ayr and Annbank, and between Failford and Ayr. If you have the benefit of two cars, there is plenty of on-street parking available in Annbank – I found a little parking area (fits 3 cars) at the top of Mill Road and there is a large lay-by in Failford opposite the Failford Inn.

 There are no public toilets on this route. Unfortunately both the Stair Inn and Failford Inn are also permanently closed. There is a pub at the north end of Annbank – Tap O The Brae – which may be an option.

Dog-friendly walk (see notes and photos below about stiles)

Route map

Walk Report: March 2016 & December 2024

Wow – a fantastic walk! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this one. The terrain was varied, the scenery beautiful, I was beside the river for the majority of the way and it was just so quiet and peaceful.

Most memorable parts: a beautiful red sandstone gorge, an impressive railway viaduct, quaint little villages, a lesson in Ayrshire history, and the muddiest field-crossing I’ve experienced to date! This is a beautiful walk along the banks of the River Ayr, taking in Peden’s Cove in the Ayr Gorge Woodland as well as Highland Mary’s Monument in Failford.

After a short walk through the village of Annbank I found myself in a lovely woodland. Even in late December there were signs of spring beginning to pop through the earth, and when I walked the route in March it was simply stunning – so lush and green with dainty little woodland flowers carpeting the floor.

Metal kissing gate with a River Ayr Way marker post beside it
Between Annbank village and the Enterkine Viaduct there are 4 gates like the one pictured above. This is the one closest to the viaduct. The other 3 have gaps at the side which will be helpful if you are on a bike or have a dog with you.

Then it wasn’t long before I was heading for the Enterkine Viaduct. And how delighted I was to discover that the route went beneath it! The closer I got to this enormous structure the more in awe of it I was! The railway line on top of the viaduct was once important for transporting coal wagons to and from Killoch Colliery near Ochiltree and connecting them with the main train line to Ayr Harbour. Killoch is known for being the first Scottish pit to produce a million tons of coal in a year, back in the 1960s! From the roadside I counted 12 arches.

Between the viaduct and the Stair road there were some nice views over the River Ayr. A lot of work has gone in to making this section walkable at some point in the past, as can be seen from several sections of boardwalk, presumably making the going easier across some otherwise boggy parts of the path. One section of boardwalk was on a hill and built as long steps, although the slant of the top two steps was a little surprising! I was glad of the wire mesh over the wooden slats, and the handrail to hold on to.

Boardwalk steps on the River Ayr Way with a wooden handrail at each side
Steepest boardwalk I ever did see! Good fun though! And you can see that it is still being looked after from that new slat on the second step.
Set of earth steps heading down hill from a viewpoint overlooking the River Ayr
Hard to see in this photo but there are steps down the slope here. Nice view over the river!

And then as the path starts to head away from the river there is one extremely waterlogged and boggy stretch over a field. On my first walk here I persevered and walked through the bog, but on my most recent visit it was particularly bad so I diverted along the field-edge instead. It is a crop field, barley I think, and you can see that is the route most people take. In the winter what’s left in the ground after harvesting is flattened at the field-edge, presumably trampled by many pairs of boots. And in the summer there is enough of a gap at the edge of the crop to walk around without causing any damage. In fact it is positively lovely to walk through in the summer, the barley swishing gently in the breeze.

Long vegetation growth along the edges of a boggy footpath between two fencesBoggy and waterlogged footpath between two fences. Very little vegetation around it.
Summer vs Winter on the official River Ayr Way – more vegetation in the summer but still a lot of bog! In the Winter it is basically a no-go without wellies.
Barley field in full crop on a summer afternoon, a track on the right where people have been walkingGroup of people walking along the edge of the same barley field in winter, after harvesting.
Summer vs Winter walking along the edge of the barley field to avoid the boggy, waterlogged River Ayr Way ‘path’

On reaching the main road just outside Stair, a sign on a gate explains that a diversion is in place due to several landslips along the riverside path. The diversion is fully signposted and doesn’t really add any distance on, but does take you away from the river for approx 1.5 miles. It is actually a lovely route once you get off the B road. Expect quiet country lanes and farm tracks and because they are up high you get lovely views over the surrounding countryside. There are two stiles on the diversion, the first of which has quite a high first step which some people might find tricky. The first stile has a good gap at the bottom most dogs would fit under, however the second stile has no such gap. Photos below. There is also a cattle grid at the start of the farm track.

Failford7
Track which forms part of the diversion put in place to avoid the section of the river path currently closed due to landslide

The highlight of this walk for me was definitely Ayr Gorge Woodland. It is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, in fact it is the ‘jewel in their crown’ – and no wonder! I actually only discovered it thanks to taking on a 100 walk walking challenge during which I had asked my social media followers to suggest some walks for me to include. Special mention to Michelle Stokes for recommending this walk to me and allowing me to discover this hidden gem right on my doorstep 🙂 It is outstandingly beautiful. It is worth noting that there are a LOT of steps, both up and down, and not all of them have handrails. But there is plenty to admire if you find yourself in need of a pit-stop 😉

Failford13.jpg
Red sandstone is a feature found inside Ayr Gorge woodland and this photo is an example of how visible it is beneath the river in some places.
Failford11
It is well worth the short walk along to visit Peden’s Cove – such a beautiful spot! It isn’t signposted from the trail, instead look out for a marker post which says ‘Path ends in 300m’ – it’s just along there 🙂 It is also possible to do a shorter walk starting in Failford which comes along to Peden’s Cove and back again.

And just like that I was in Failford! I have enjoyed an end of walk drink at the Failford Inn a few times, but sadly at the time of writing (Dec 2024) it is closed. I do recommend the short de-tour to see Highland Mary’s Monument, hidden just off the road-side. Take care on the access steps – they can get quite slippery with moss. Once at the monument there is an information board explaining the story of Highland Mary, her association with Robert Burns and indeed Failford.

Previous section: Auchincruive to Annbank

Next section: Failford to Catrine

Whole route: River Ayr Way

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