Gillian's Walks

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Choose between either a 7km or 9km circular route starting in Knockentiber. The shorter route makes use of the cycle track between Knockentiber and Springside, and returns via the quiet Knockentiber Road. The longer, hillier, route begins with just a short 1km along the cycle track before coming off onto single track country roads for the remainder of the walk into Springside. Both walks return via Knockentiber Road. Terrain includes surfaced paths, residential streets and country roads with no pavements.

Small parking area in Knockentiber next to the play park on Kilmaurs Rd, and on-street parking on the surrounding residential streets. Closest train station is in Kilmarnock, 2 miles outside of Knockentiber. Local bus services to Knockentiber stop on Kilmaurs Rd at the start of the walk. Knockentiber also sits on the NCN73 cycle route so can be reached easily by bike from Kilmarnock or Irvine, although there are no formal bike parking facilities in the village.

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Shorter loop: 4.4 miles / 7km

  Buggy-friendly walk (some uphill pushing required!)

  Route: Facing Kilmaurs Rd, with the play area behind you, turn left (North) and walk along Kilmaurs Rd. Take the second street on your left (West) – Plann Road. This residential street bends to the right after a short distance after which you turn left (North West) onto Barr Avenue. At the end of Barr Avenue continue ahead through a gap in the hedge onto a surfaced path which leads down onto the cycle track. Turn left (West) on the NCN73 cycle track and walk along it for approx 3km to reach the village of Springside, emerging onto Overtoun Road. Turn left (South) onto Overtoun Road and walk along the pavement. After 260m you will reach a fork next to Springside Library / Community Centre – keep left (South East) to stay on Overtoun Road. Take the first road on your left (North East) – Knockentiber Road. After 3km at the end of Knockentiber Road, turn right (South East) onto Southhook Road. At the end of the road, next to The Tiber Tavern, turn left (North East) and walk along B751, arriving back at the play area after 200m.

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Longer loop: 5.7 miles / 9km

  Route: Facing Kilmaurs Rd, with the play area behind you, turn left (North) and walk along Kilmaurs Rd. Take the second street on your left (West) – Plann Road. This residential street bends to the right after a short distance after which you turn left (North West) onto Barr Avenue. At the end of Barr Avenue continue ahead through a gap in the hedge onto a surfaced path which leads down onto the cycle track. Turn left (West) on the NCN73 cycle track and walk along it for approx 1km. Just after walking beneath a bridge, turn right (North) along a track, emerging onto a minor road. Turn left (North) along the road, then left again (West) after 100m to walk past Southhook Cottage. Continue along this road for 2km, to a crossroads beside Overton Farm. Turn left (South) at the crossroads, onto Overtoun Rd. Walk along Overtoun Rd for approx 2km, heading into and through Springside. This will be a busier road than the one you have just come off. When you reach a fork next to Springside Library / Community Centre keep left (South East) to stay on Overtoun Road. Take the first road on your left (North East) – Knockentiber Road. After 3km at the end of Knockentiber Road, turn right (South East) onto Southhook Road. At the end of the road, next to The Tiber Tavern, turn left (North East) and walk along B751, arriving back at the play area after 200m.

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WALK REPORT

I have walked this route several times since I was first made aware of it a few months ago by a friend who once lived in the area! That in itself speaks volumes since I do normally favour exploring new places over doing the same walk over and over.

I will always remember this as being the walk on which my mobile phone packed in for no apparent reason! It was my first time checking the route out, I was alone and I was using my phone as both navigation aid and camera.  Out of the blue despite having almost full battery it powered off…… I ended up being without it for a couple of weeks while it was off for repair. As a result I lost all of the photos I had taken that day meaning I was going to have to do the walk again before I could report on it. Good thing I had enjoyed it!

Since then I have returned with several different people including little Isla in her pram, who thoroughly enjoyed the hurl (short loop). Having tried the walks both in the evening and midweek mornings I have always found the road sections to be quiet with only the occasional passing vehicle.

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