Walking in Ayrshire - Seven walks for seven days Whether it's enjoying a gentle country stroll, a breezy coastal walk, trekking long distance routes or scrambling among hills and mountains, Doonbank Cottage is situated in the heart of some easy to reach and fabulous walks, to suit every level of experience. The surrounding area includes many ranges of hills over 600m (2,000 feet), in which several summits qualify as Corbetts - hills over 762m (2,500 feet), while walks in the immediate vicinity include: The Ayrshire Coastal path, running for one hundred miles along the coastline, A circular walk from the Tam O'Shanter Experience, through the "auld haunted kirk," Greenan Castle, Belleisle and Rozelle Parks An easy going walk through farmlands and a Beach walk from Croy Bay through Culzean Country Park, with many exciting bays to explore along the way. Below, we have suggested seven walks in the local area, and you can use the links below to find your perfect walk, suitable for novices, experienced walkers, family outings and dog walkers.

Day one	Day two	Day three	Day four
Straiton Patna Hill Track	Laggan Walk, Girvan	Cock of Arran	Alloway - Culroy - Brown Carrick Hill - Genoch Farm - Alloway
Approximately 30 mins drive from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 8.4 km/ 5.25 miles 03:00 (hrs:mins) 200 metres Explorer 326: Ayr & Troon This walk follows an old coal and drove road on open moor and through coniferous forest, An ancient route, it offers extensive views across Ayrshire and the chance to observe moorland birds and mammals. Care should be taken in bad weather. It should only be tackled by the well equipped an experienced walker.	Approximately 38 mins drive from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 7 kms / 4.4 miles 03:00 (hrs:mins) 250 metres Explorer 317: Ballantrae, Barr and Barrhill Ailsa Craig, a 1000ft volcanic plug whose sides rise almost vertically from the Firth of Clyde 10 miles off of the Ayrshire coast, is the dominant feature on the horizon. This lovely walk, which crosses the high ground between the coast and the Assel and Stinchar valleys, also takes you to Laggan Loch, an almost perfectly circular body of water, which is the subject of a fascinating local legend.	Approximately 40mins.drive to Ardrossan. Take ferry to Arran. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 12 Kms/ 7.5 miles 04:00 (hrs:mins) 40 metres Explorer 361: Isle of Arran Walking through a great variety of terrains this walk takes in the wonderful views over the sea to the north, and the Arran mountains to the south. Following the coast along beaches and below cliffs, the highlights of the walk are the caves in the cliffs above you at several points and the spectacular ruin of Lochranza Castle. The route finishes at Sannox.	Approximately 3 mins drive, 10 mins walk from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 20 Kms / 12.5 miles 06:00 (hrs:mins) 197 metres Explorer 326: Ayr & Troon An enjoyable circular walk from Alloway to the top of the Carrick Hills (Brown Carrick), which all takes place on metalled roads/tracks. Starting at the Tam O'Shanter Experience, the walk takes you through some of Ayrshire's country lanes past the grounds of Newark Castle and up to the top of the Carrick Hills (Brown Carrick). On a clear day the views up the Firth of Clyde are spectacular. The return route takes you down towards the coast, then along past the old Butlin's site (still a holiday camp). Finally you return via the Burns Monument, close to the Auld Brig famed in the poem 'Tam O'Shanter' by Robert Burns.

Day five	Day six	Day seven
The Prophet's Grave, Largs	The Devil's Trail, Barr	Girvan to Barr Hill Path
Approximately 55 mins drive from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 9.6 km/ 6 miles 03:00 (hrs:mins) 40 metres Explorer 341: Greenock, Largs & Millport Follow the North Promenade into a small wood road. Turn right and keep to the left until you reach the Noddleburn, follow the path leading you into Brisbane Glen. Follow route through the glen till a gate between fields on the left where a short path takes you to the Grave of William Smith, Minister of Largs in 1647. Return by the same route.	Approximately 50 mins drive from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 6.4 km/ 4 miles 02:30 (hrs:mins) 125 metres Explorer 317: Ballantrae, Barr & Barrhill Attractive woodland walk, at first following the Water of Gregg, then a steady climb resulting in beautifull views of the Stinchar Valley and hills beyond.	Approximately 35 mins drive from the cottage. Distance Approximate Time Height Gain OS Map 10 km/ 6.25 miles 03:00 (hrs:mins) 260 metres Explorer 317: Ballantrae, Barr and Barrhill Initially the path follows the route to the Dow Hill and Laggan Loch. Past the loch the track separates and drops down to the ruins of a farm. It then leads up over Auchensol Hill (320m), giving fine views over the valley. Path emerges onto Old Dailly to Barr road, going over the old bridge to enter Barr.

Find your perfect walk

The Walking Scotland website has over 1,000 route options divided into four categories, you're sure to find a suitable walk here. The Ayrshire Paths initiative provides well sign-posted routes for all capabilities of walker.Routes include Ayr, Irvine, Muirkirk, Largs, Dailly, Dalry, Irvine Valley, Girvan, Straiton, Barr, Dalmellington and Cumbrae. The River Ayr Way is a waymarked 66km route from Glenbuck near Muirkirk, to sea (at Ayr) which takes in some of Ayrshire's most stunning scenery. Whilst walking the River Ayr Way, look out for a huge variety of wildlife including otters, heron, buzzards, oyster catchers, hen harriers and deer. The route also allows visitors to discover more about William Wallace, Alexander Peden, Robert Burns and David Dale.. Walkingworld gives a list of walks in Ayrshire and Arran, showing the walk title, grade, walk length and type of natural area in which it is found. ..........and don't forget you also have miles of coastline within minutes of the cottage!