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Route Cards

Route Cards

Want a bit of inspiration for your next walk or ride? We have designed route cards for some of our favourite walking and cycling routes in East Ayrshire. Download these for free onto your phone or print them out at home to bring along on your journey.

Walking Routes:

Lainshaw Woods, Stewarton
Lainshaw Woods, distance 2.7 miles. A beautiful walk along the Annick Water and through Lainshaw Woods. Terrain includes earth paths (can be muddy) and paved surfaces. Two sets of steps and one gentle uphill section. Plenty of benches along the route. These woods are maintained by Stewarton Woodlands Action Trust – a group of local volunteers.
Knockentiber Nature Trail
Knockentiber Nature Trail, distance 2.5 miles. Known locally as the “nature trail”, the traffic-free cycle path next to Knockentiber provides the opportunity for an enjoyable short walk. A loop is formed by linking it up with the surrounding country roads.
Two Parks Trail, Kilmarnock
Two Parks Trail, distance 2.3 miles. A short stroll connecting Kay Park and Dean Castle Country Park. There are several sets of steps on this route.
Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock
Dean Castle Country Park, distance 1.8 miles. This short walk takes in some of the best bits of Kilmarnock’s 200-acre Dean Castle Country Park. A mixture of surfaced roads and woodland footpaths with some hills and steps.
Borland and the Dean, Kilmarnock
Borland and the Dean, distance 2.5 miles. This route in the northern end of Kilmarnock makes use of quiet country roads leading into Dean Castle Country Park. There is one (avoidable) set of steps and some fairly steep gradients.
Galston Circular
Galston Circular, distance 2.6 miles. Enjoy this walk behind the village of Galston. Starting at Barr Castle, the route takes you along quiet country roads before returning to the start along the River Irvine. A hilly walk – worth it for the views!
Crookedholm River Trail
River Trail, distance 2 miles. Enjoy a walk along the River Irvine and then back into Crookedholm via quiet country roads and residential streets. Some steep inclines/declines.
7 documents

Cycling Routes:

Dean Park to Fenwick Loop
Dean Park to Fenwick Loop, distance 8 miles. This route starts and finishes at Dean Castle Country Park and is on a mixture of quiet country roads and busier roads with traffic. This route is suitable for intermediate riders who are confident of cycling on roads and in traffic. This route offers beautiful views but involves some climbs.
Dean Park into the Countryside
Dean Park into the countryside, distance 8 miles. This route starts and finishes at Dean Castle Country Park and is on traffic free tarmac paths within the park and quiet country roads out of the park. *Please note you may need to carry your bike over the bridge at Bringan Ford which has steps up and down*
Galston to Hurlford Loop
Galston to Hurlford loop via the Chris Hoy Cycle Path, distance 9 miles. This lovely scenic route starts at the Galston end of the Chris Hoy Cycle Path and is suitable for beginner to intermediate riders who prefer quiet roads and paths but are confident of cycling on roads in places.
Knockentiber & Crosshouse Circular
The Kilmarnock, Knockentiber & Crosshouse Circular, distance 9 miles. This circular ride follows a mix of the traffic free NCN73, quiet country roads and busier roads through Gatehead. This route is suitable for intermediate riders who are confident of cycling on the roads.
Shanks Pony to Springside via Overton Farm
National Cycle Network – Shanks Pony to Springside and back via Overton Farm, distance 9 miles. This route starts at Shanks Pony on Western Road and is a circular ride first following the traffic free National Cycle Network 73 (NCN73) towards Springside and then joining quiet country roads past Overton Farm and down to Knockentiber before re-joining the NCN73 and returning back to Shanks Pony. The second half of this route involves a few hills and is suitable for beginners/intermediate riders.
Shanks Pony to Springside via Busbie Hill
National Cycle Network – Shanks Pony to Springside and back via Busbie Hill, distance 8 miles. This route starts at Shanks Pony on Western Road and is a circular ride first following the traffic free National Cycle Network 73 (NCN73) towards Springside and then joining quiet country roads back to Knockentiber where you re-join the NCN73 and return back to Shanks Pony. The second half of this route involves a few hills and is suitable for beginners/intermediate riders
Shanks Pony to Springside
National Cycle Network – Shanks Pony to Springside, distance 7 miles. This route starts at Shanks Pony on Western Road and follows the traffic free National Cycle Network 73 towards Springside and back. This route is mainly flat and well surfaced. Suitable for families and beginners. This route can be made longer or shorter depending on ability/time.
7 documents