DIFFICULTY RATING: moderate. This is the easier of the two options for stage one of the Ayrshire Coastal Path and is significantly easier than the clifftop route, albeit the same distance. There is some moderate ascent at the beginning on good tracks then a mixture of gravel and surfaced roads. There are a number of stock gates, some of which may need to be climbed, and some which have a kissing gate to the side.
See also Walk 226 – Glenapp to Ballantrae via clifftops (9.5 miles) for a more challenging option.
Small parking area across the road from Glenapp Kirk, just off A77 and also at The Vennel, Ballantrae (KA26 0NH). There are also bus services between Ballantrae and Glenapp Kirk.
Toilet options on this route: Foreland car park in Ballantrae (end of walk). Check opening times and charges on the SAC website.
Purchase the Official Ayrshire Coastal Path Guide Book
View full route description
The walk begins across the A77 from Glenapp Kirk. From the Ayrshire Coastal Path information board, follow a gravel track gently uphill in a SW direction.
After 800m keep right (W) at a fork to move onto a steeper track which leads up onto open moorland with fantastic views across the coast.
After 3km ignore a track off to the left. For the next 1km ignore a road on your left, a track on your right and then a track on your left – stay on the minor road heading NE.
You will arrive at a junction with some Ayrshire Coastal Path finger posts offering a choice of onward routes. To stay on this inland route, turn right (NE) to follow the “scenic route” as indicated by the marker post.
Continue in a NE direction along quiet country roads, passing several farms as you go. At a road junction 3.5km along, turn left (W) onto a quiet surfaced road heading downhill. You will reach another road junction after 2km at Currarie Cottage – turn right (NE).
Continue on this road for 3.5km, passing several farms and the entrance to Glenapp Castle Hotel.
When you emerge onto A77 just outside Ballantrae, turn left (NW). Follow the roadside pavement next to A77 across the River Stinchar and onto Main Street, Ballantrae.
After 500m, at the church, turn left (W) onto The Vennel. A short way along The Vennel there is a car park on the right where this section ends.
WALK REVIEW: 8th April 2017
I have only fond memories of this section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path and it is a walk which I will return to one day. Navigation was simple, the views tremendous, and to top it all off I hardly met a soul! I was very fortunate to stumble upon a glorious cloud-free day, albeit a little hazy in the distance which meant that Ailsa Craig was only just visible. I was blown away by the sheer volume of pheasants in this area! Initially every time one heard me coming and flapped off I would jump but I became used to them very quickly. I didn’t manage to capture any in photos, they were just too fast for me. On the very first section of this walk a lizard scuttered across the dry gravel path in front of me. It reminded me of my adventures hiking in France 🙂
