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Plenty of beach-walking on this one, with options to use earth footpaths instead should you wish. I would say this is one of the sections of the Ayrshire Coastal Path where you are most likely to bump into other walkers along the way! Being so close to the Isle of Arran, you have the potential for some incredible views across the Firth of Clyde.
There is on-street parking on Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan and a public car park at Portencross (KA23 9QA). No public transport to Portencross. There are train services between Ardrossan and West Kilbride which is 2.3 miles away from Portencross, making the walk closer to 9 miles.
Route: Facing Ardrossan Harbour and with your back to the residences on Mariner’s View, turn right (North East) to walk round the edge of the harbour. At the end of the terraced apartments, continue ahead (West) around a grassy mound with some sculptures on it, circling back on yourself at the other side. Turn left (North) to follow the harbour wall towards the (unpleasant-looking) North Shore Future Development Site. As you approach the perimeter fencing, turn left (West) to follow a trodden earth footpath around the perimeter of the site, admiring the views out to the Firth of Clyde on your left-hand side. As this path runs out, find a suitable place beyond the rocky embankment to drop down onto the beach at Ardrossan North Bay. For this next section stay on the sandy beach all the way to The Waterside restaurant and Caravan Park – 4km. Just beyond The Waterside, Ayrshire Coastal Path marker posts lead you onto a sandy and grassy path to avoid a rocky area of coastline. At Seamill, cross a footbridge over the Kilbride Burn and resume along the beach for 500m, passing behind the Seamill Hydro Hotel. At the southern end of West Kilbride Golf Course, come off the beach onto a high-level footpath which goes around Ardneil Bay (or continue along the beach if you prefer) for 1.8km. As you reach the north end of Ardneil Bay, there is a short walk across the pink sand and pebble beach to reach a kissing gate which leads onto a field. Follow a rough path across the seaward edge of the field to a second kissing gate. Go through the kissing gate – you are now in Portencross car park.
Purchase the official Ayrshire Coastal Path Guide Book
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A coastal walk with plenty of beaches to walk on, hooray! What a glorious day we had for this one, couldn’t have asked for better. I had never before seen the Isle of Arran in such clarity from the mainland – it was crystal clear which meant irresistible photo opportunities.
Use this website often? I invite you to support my work through Patreon or by making a one-off donation.
Use this website often? I invite you to support the continued creation of high quality content through Patreon or by making a one-off donation.
