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Ayrshire, Galloway and the Islands
just off the coast have a good variety of
walking routes. These include mountains,
scenic hills, country estates and
coastal. Most of the hills/mountains have
safe steady hiking routes to the top.
Most also have steep testing hiking
routes to the top for the more
adventurous, some with 1,000 ft cliffs
for rock climbing, as can be seen in the
Photo Tours.
The highest hill/mountain ranges are
The Merrick Range (Awful Hand) up to
2,766 ft, Corserine Range (Rhins of
Kells) up to 2,671 ft, and the Cairnsmore
of Carsphairn Range up to 2,614 ft. The
Goat Fell Range on the Isle of Arran is
up to 2,866 ft.
The most difficult range is the rocky
2,270 ft Mullwarchar Range (Dungeon
Range) that runs from the south side of
Loch Doon to to the east side of Loch
Trool, with many high cliffs along the
east side that attract rock climbers.
Another testing range is the Lamachan
Range on the south side of Loch
Trool.
The only hill with a man made path all
the way to the top is the 1,532 ft
Cornish Hill.
The 1,086 feet Straiton Hill has a trail
all the way to the top. The 1,062ft
Glessel Hill by
Loch Doon Dam has a faint trail all the
way to the top from the Roundhouse Cafe.
The 2,766 ft Merrick has a well marked
trail to the top from Loch Trool, some of
that trail is man made. The 2,671 ft
Corserine has a
well marked trail from Forest Lodge. The
2,614 ft Cairsmore of
Carsphairn has a good tourist trail
most of the way. If you are new to Hill
Walking / Mountain Hiking, these may be
the best to try first. Large Map of these
Routes .
Large
Southern Scotland click on Mountains
Map.
The routes below have photo tours to
give a guide to the route with images and
text.
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Ailsa Craig an
island bird sanctuary 10 miles off the
town of Girvan, 1,110 feet
This is a volcanic island popular with
hill walkers, 1,110 feet high. There is a
boat from Girvan that makes regular
visits to the island. You get about 3
hours on the island, enough time to hike
to the summit and back with time to
spare, then a trip around to view the
cliffs, birds and seals before returning
to Girvan. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Ailsa Craig
Page
Girvan Page
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Alloway Village,
Rozelle Estate & Belleisle
Estate about 4 - 6 miles
This walk begins in the extremely scenic
Alloway Village which is situated 3 miles
south of Ayr. The walk then passes
through Rozelle Estate for scenic ponds,
mansion house with art gallery and modern
art sculptures in the gardens. The walk
then passes through Belleisle Estate past
the golf courses and into the scenic
gardens and deer park. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Alloway Page
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Ayr to Greenan Castle
and Heads of Ayr cliffs and Dunure
about 5 - 8 miles
This walk begins at the Low Green in Ayr
centre by the beach. The walk goes south
just over 2 miles to Greenan Castle at
Doonfoot, following a path or along the
beach. The walk can be extended from
Greenan Castle to the 300 feet Heads of
Ayr cliffs a further 2 miles south, and
to Dunure village another 2 miles south.
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Ayr Page
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Ayr River Walk
about 2 - 3 miles out and back
This walk begins at Ayr Auld Brig in the
town centre. The path follows the east
side of the river into Craigie Estate
from where you can view Craigie House and
gardens. You can extend the walk east to
the River Ayr Stepping Stones, and
another 2 miles further to Auchincruive
Estate.
Photo Tour
Page
Ayr Page
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Barr Walking
Routes woodland walks with hills
up to 1,800 feet optional
These walks start from the village of
Barr, 8 miles east of Girvan, or from a
car park about half of a mile north of
Barr up Changue Road. There are a number
of interesting woodland walks that can be
extended into the hills of up to 1,800
feet. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Barr Village
Website
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Blackcraig
Hill 26 miles southeast of Ayr by
New Cumnock, 2,296 feet
Blackcraig Hill has a few routes to the
top from fairly easy to hard. There are
another three hills of around 2,000 ft
connected to Blackcraig that many people
want to walk round on the same day, once
up there, why not do them all. The four
hills give great views as can be seen on
the photo tour page. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
New Cumnock
Page
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Brown Carrick
Hill 5 miles south of Ayr by
Dunure, 914 feet
Brown Carrick Hill is the highest hill
close to Ayr. The views from the top are
amazing in all directions. There are a
number of routes to the top including
driving most of the way via a hill road.
This route also gives information on
walking to Newark Hill on the south side
of Ayr. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Ayr Page
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Cairnsmore of
Carsphairn 23 miles southeast of
Ayr by the village of Carsphairn, 2,614
feet
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is one of the
six highest hills/mountains in southwest
Scotland. There is a tourist trail most
of the way to the top, and there other
hills in the area that the hike can be
extended to. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Carsphairn
Website
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Cornish Hill
21 miles southeast of Ayr 1,532 feet
This walk starts from the Stinchar Bridge
car park and follows a man made path
through woodland, up to the top of
Cornish Hill, and down to Cornish Loch.
This may be the only hill in Ayrhsire
with a man made path all the way to the
top. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Corserine &
Carlin's Cairn from Loch Doon,
2,671 feet
Corserine and Carlin's Cairn are on a
range down the east side of Loch Doon
known as the Rhinns of Kells. There is a
car park at the south side of the loch
from where the hike begins. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Dalmellington
Page
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Corserine
Tourist Trail from Forest Lodge 34 miles
southeast of Ayr, 2,671 feet
Corserine is on a range down the east
side of Loch Doon known as the Rhinns of
Kells. For the hike up the east side
tourist trail, there is a car park and
picnic area in The Forest Estate, at
Forest Lodge, from where the hike begins.
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Corserine to Meikle
Millyea from Forest Lodge 34 miles
southeast of Ayr, 2,671 feet
Corserine is on a range down the east
side of Loch Doon known as the Rhinns of
Kells. For the hike from Corserine south
to Millfire, Milldown and Meikle Millyea,
there is a car park and picnic area in
The Forest Estate, at Forest Lodge, from
where the hike begins. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Craiglee Hill
from Loch Doon 21 miles southeast of Ay,
1,716 feet
Craiglee Hill is a popular walk from Loch
Doon Castle on the banks of Loch Doon.
The lower Wee Hill of Craigmulloch is
normally hiked at the same time as there
is a trail round the two hills. Both
hills give great views over the loch.
Map.
Photo Tour Page
Dalmellington
Page
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Girvan
Hillwaking south side of Girvan
974 feet
This walk can take in one hill or a
number of hills over a 5 mile long range
that runs from Girvan to Kennedy's Pass 5
miles south. The highest hill is Grey
Hill at 974 feet. The most climbed hill
with the closest and best views over
Girvan is the steep sided Byne Hill at
703 feet. There is also a large memorial
well worth visiting on the south side of
Byne Hill. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Girvan Guide
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Glessel Hill
by Loch Doon Dam 1,062 feet
This is a short hike from the Roundhouse
Cafe at Loch Doon Dam for great views
over Loch Doon. The hike can be extended
to other hills and to the impressive Ness
Glen gorge via the Scottish Dark Sky
Observatory. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Greeto Waterfalls
Walk on the north side of
Largs
The Greeto Falls are situated above the
town of Largs. There is a walking route
from the town up into the hills to the
falls where you can also get great views
over the Cumbrae islands and the Isle of
Arran. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Largs Page
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Holy Isle off
the Isle of Arran 1,030 feet
This walk begins after a ferry trip to
Arran then a small boat trip from Lamlash
to the Holy Isle. The walk starts on the
island from the pier, where someone from
the Buddhist retreat will welcome you to
the island. The summit is about 1,030
feet. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Arran
Page
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Goat Fell Mountain Isle of Arran
southwest Scotland 2,866 feet
Goat Fell is the highest mountain on the
Isle of Arran at 2,866 feet or 874
metres. The Isle of Arran is probably the
most scenic island in Scotland. The
mountain is situated about 3 miles north
of the main town and ferry port of
Brodick. Goat Fell has spectacular views
over the island and Firth of Clyde to
Scotland. The main tourist trail up Goat
Fell normally takes between 4 & 5-
hours to the top and back. Map.
Reviews.
Photo Tour
1
Photo Tour
2 some good large images from the
top
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat_Fell
Arran Page
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Large Image
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Kings Cave
west side of the Island of Arran, about a
4 mile walk
This walk to the Kings Cave is from the
Shiskine Golf Club at Blackwaterfoot on
the west side of Arran. The walk is about
two miles out the the cave which is
fairly level apart from a rather large
hill in the middle. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Arran Page
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Isle of
Cumbrae off Largs, 10 mile walk
flat or 417 feet
This walk around the Isle of Cumbrae is
about 10 miles. There are also trails
across the island at its highest point at
417 feet. The road round the island is
popular with cyclists as well with many
cycle hire shops on the island. The only
town is Millport with cafe's and a hotel
for food and beverages. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Cumbrae Page
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Knockdolian
Hill by Ballantrae and Colmonell,
10 miles south of Girvan, 870 feet
This is a lone hill close to the sea with
great views up the Stinchar Valley and
over the sea. There is a hill walk about
2 miles out from Colmonell, or a
riverside walk out from Ballantrae, also
about 2 miles. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Ballantre
Website
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Lamachan Range
on the south side of Loch Trool 34 miles
southeast of Ayr, 2,352 feet
This is a testing hike over five rugged
hills with some steep sections and an
adventurous ridge. There are another two
hills connected that the hike can be
extended to. Map
Photo Tour
Page
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Lendalfoot Hill /
Balsalloch Hill 6 miles south of
Girvan, 614 feet
This is a scenic hike up one of the lower
hills in Ayrshire, but one of the most
rewarding. Lendalfoot Hill or its real
name Balsalloch Hill, is a lone hill
rising out of the sea meaning you get
awesome views from close to the top, and
from the top down over the shore road,
village and large monument. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Merrick
Hill/Mountain from Loch Trool,
highest hill in southern Scotland at
2,766 feet
The Merrick hike starts from the Bruce's
Stone car park at Loch Troll and goes
over the 2,358 ft Benyallary. You can
descend the same route, or take in other
hills on the road back down.
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Mullwarchar
Hill/Mountain from Loch Doon over
a rocky range with 1,000 foot cliffs,
2,270 feet
The north end of the Mullwarchar Range
hike starts from the south side of Loch
Doon and goes over some rugged hills
including, Hoodans, Mulwarchar, Dungeon,
Craignary, and Craignaw. Toughest looking
range in southern Scotland.
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Dalmellington
Page
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Ness Glen
Trail by Loch Doon Dam
The scenic Ness Glen Trail starts from
the Roundhouse Cafe at Loch Doon Dam. The
route down alongside the River Doon has
to be seen to be believed. The route back
up over the top of Ness Glen passes the
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, a popular
visit on that route. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Nick of the
Balloch by the village of Barr
hill walking 11 hills up to 1,800
feet
These hikes start from the Nick of the
Balloch road or from the village of Barr,
8 miles east of Girvan. There are eleven
hills on this range northeast of Barr
from 1,500 feet up to 1,800 feet. All the
hills are connected so once up on one,
you can go round some others, or all, as
there are only low drops between them
following the ridges. There are a few
steep climbs betwen some of the hills not
following the ridges, especially between
Haggis Hill and Glengap Hill where there
is an amazing glen. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Barr Village
Website
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Rhinns of
Kells north end from Casphairn 4
or 6 hills up to 2,280 feet
This hike starts at a car park about half
of a mile northwest of the village of
Carsphairn, 23 miles southeast of Ayr.
The hills on a loup here are the 2,162 ft
Cairnsgarroch, 2,280 ft Meaul, 2,011 ft
Bow, and 2,043 ft Coran of Portmark. The
hike can also take in the 1,732 ft Black
Craig and 1,640 ft Knockower. Road
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Casphairn
Village Website
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Shalloch-on-Minnoch
Hill/Mountain from Loch Riecawr 26
miles southeast of Ayr 2,520 feet
This hike starts in the Carrick Forest
from Loch Riecawr, the Tunskeen Bothy or
the Stinchar Bridge. There is a tourist
road that passes through the forest past
three lochs, Loch Braden, Loch Riecawr
and Loch Doon. The forest road can be
entered from just east of Dalmellington
via Loch Doon and from south of the
scenic village of Straiton. The walk can
also be extended to the Merrick on the
same range. Road
Map.
Photo Tour
Page
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Straiton to Hunter
Monument and Bennan Circuit scenic
village 14 miles southeast of Ayr 1,086
feet
This walk starts in the scenic village of
Straiton and climbs to the Hunter
Monument on top of one of the highest
hills overlooking the village. The walk
then heads south, crosses to the other
side of the valley, then turns back
towards the village. The walk can be
between 4 and 7 miles, depending on the
route you follow. Map.
Photo Tour
Page
Straiton
Website
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