North Ayrshire

5 miles/9 km

West Kilbride - Portencross Castle - Irvine Road bus stops

Pretty Easy

A scenic walk on a blend of pavements, gravel and some muddy, grassy parts. The walk is mostly flat with the exception of the first half a mile. Good shoes and soft drinks are recommended. Portencross Castle are only open during the summer May - September, weekends only. Check out their website for updated opening times. The walk is good enough itself to not include a visit inside the castle.
The views along this walk, with the exception of the last mile, are excellent. Despite the pretty dull final two miles of the walk (Hunterston to the bus stops), this is a recommended walk.
Please note that this walk, from the Ardrossan to the Largs road, is also a part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. A path which goes from Glenapp near Cairnryan in the south to Skelmorlie/Wemyss Bay in the north.




Train from Glasgow/Paisley/Kilwinning once an hour. Bus from Kilwinning twice an hour.

The walk starts from the West Kilbride train station. West Kilbride is a scenic village, worthy of a long stop. But the walk goes straight up the pretty steep St. Bride's Road (choose the right pavement) to a roundabout which the walk is crossing straight through; take aim at the mountains of Arran. You should now be in Portencross Road. The road now drops down the hill towards the main Ardrossan to Largs road.



The views from the top of the hill here towards the mighty impressive mountains of Arran and the road leading to Portencross Castle is very impressive and inspiring. Cross the main road with caution and continue on the good pavement on Portencross Road. This is one of the most scenic roads in Ayrshire.



This road ends at the Portencross Castle, which has also given the name to this walk. A pretty interesting castle, made to defend the coast and the population centres further up the Clyde River against marauding invaders. These lines are written by a Norwegian citizen, btw.



The path straight north from the castle first follows a gravel path and then becomes grassy and slightly muddy. The path is a bit slippery underfoot. The views to the vertical cliffs to the right are impressive. Millport on Great Cumbrae can be spotted to the north.



After half a mile, the path enters the tarmac road at Hunterston Power Station.



After one mile, choose the traffic-free old road, Power Station Road, which takes you up to the short path through a forest up to the bus stops at the Ardrossan - Largs main road. These 2 miles on the pavement up to the bus stops is not particularly interesting.

Bus back to West Kilbride/Kilwinning twice an hour. Bus to Fairlie/Largs twice an hour.