Arran Coastal Way

The Arran Coastal Way is a challenging and rugged long distance route running for 109km mostly around the coastline of the Isle of Arran. The Way fits neatly into a week long holiday, and the excellent bus service around the island makes it possible to walk the route in stages from many bases around the island.

Arran is famed as being 'Scotland in miniature', and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the route enjoys fabulous scenery. The Way doesn't stick completely to the coast, venturing inland at several points to sample the best the island has to offer.

It begins with an (optional) ascent to Goatfell, the island's highest peak and a stunning viewpoint. There follows the picturesque village of Corrie and Sannox before a classic stretch leads around the remote coastline of the Cock of Arran. From Lochranza and its ruined castle the route follows the old postman's path to tiny, beautiful Catacol. There are stretches of roadwalking through Pirnmill before the route visits the celebrated King's Cave. Southern Arran features perhaps the toughest part of the route; if you enjoy rough scrambling over boulders, you'll love the tidal stretches below the headlands of Bennan and Dippen Head (there is an easier alternative if the boulders are too tough). From Whiting Bay the route optionally climbs to the spectacular Glenashdale Falls before descending to lovely Lamlash. From here the Way sticks to the coast for a final, beautiful stretch back to Brodick. Full descriptions and maps of each of the stages and alternatives are available on the links below.

Stage descriptions	Length	Time	Done
1A Brodick to Sannox via Goat Fell	15.5km	6 - 8 hours
1B Brodick to Sannox - low level route	12.5km	3.5 - 4.5 hours
2 Sannox to Lochranza - Cock of Arran	15.75km	4.5 - 6 hours
3 Lochranza to Imachar	14.5km	4.5 - 5.5 hours
4 Imachar to Blackwaterfoot	16.25km	4.5 - 6 hours
5 Blackwaterfoot to Lagg	10.55km	3.5 - 4 hours
6A Lagg to Whiting Bay - via coast	15.25km	6 - 9 hours
6B Lagg to Whiting Bay - inland	19.25km	6 - 7 hours
7A Whiting Bay to Brodick via waterfall	19km	6 - 7 hours
7B Whiting Bay to Brodick: via coast	18.5km	6 - 7 hours

THE CHALLENGE

The Arran Coastal Way is waymarked but has some very rugged terrain at times, giving demanding walking despite being at low levels after the first stage.

The ascent of Goatfell is a straightforward hillwalk for those with the necessary experience and can be avoided by using the low level alternative if the weather or ability is in doubt. But several other sections involve rough going along the shoreline, with pathless and / or boggy sections. The stage from Lagg to Whiting Bay - where it rounds Bennan Head and Dippen Head - involves pathless clambering over boulders - both these headlands can be avoided by using the inland alternative.