Ayrshire Coastal Path 4: Girvan to Maidens

Stage Four of the Ayrshire Coastal Path runs along the shoreline of rocks and sand before cutting across the world-famous Turnberry Golf Course.

Terrain

Pavements and minor roads, sandy and rocky beach and farm track.

Public Transport

Both Girvan and Maidens are served by bus, whilst Girvan also has a rail station.

Start

Girvan harbour. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Keep the river on your left and head towards Girvan town centre. At the traffic lights turn left along the pavement before turning left again following the brown campsite sign. Cross the bridge over the River Girvan and turn left, passing Noble's Shipyard - one of the last remaining shipyards on the Clyde. Continue past the Coastguard Station before reaching the redeveloped former coal terminal, landscaped by the local Rotary Club. Press on along the path as it opens out at a small green before the municipal golf course. Turn right through the car park and pass through the row of terraced houses beyond to arrive at a minor road above the river.

Stage 2

Turn left here and enjoy the easy walking along this quiet road as it bisects the golf course before reaching a T-junction. Turn left to reach Girvan Mains Farm adjacent to the faint outline of a Roman Camp. The route passes through the busy farm and onto a farm track heading seaward and passing Gallow Hill - a reminder of the punishments doled out by the ruling Kennedy clan in times past. The track turns north as the coast is reached, continue along this good path past fields of the famous Ayrshire tatties. Continue along the grassy foreshore to reach a couple of cottages at Curragh.

Stage 3

Drop down to the sand and shingle beach and cross the mouth of Dipple Burn via concrete causeway constructed below the alginate factory. Beyond this point the beach becomes predominantly shingle, and it is far easier to walk along the grassy verge beneath the field boundary fence. This also ensures that ringed plovers and oystercatchers nesting in the shingle are avoided. Soon the beach returns to firm sand making for easy walking, before crossing Milton Burn via another causeway and continuing onto the broad golden sweep of Turnberry Bay.

Stage 4

With Turnberry lighthouse in view on the headland ahead, amble along this pleasant beach until a wrack path heads up the escarpment and onto Turnberry golf course. Taking great care not to disturb the golfers attempting holes - including the infamous 9th known as Bruce's Castle - follow the path between the fairways to cross the wartime RAF Turnberry runway and arrive at a gate alongside the A719. Turn left along a roadside pavement to gentle drop down into Maidens. NB: During major golf tournaments the last section of this walk may well be closed, in which case walkers will be required to head up a path alongside Milton Burn and turn left to follow the A719 into Maidens.

Route: Phil Turner

Next stage: Maidens to Dunure

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