This longer walk combines the lower and higher variants of the Ayrshire Coastal Path to make a visit to the site of an old hillfort with spectacular views over Largs and the Firth of Clyde.
Bog Factor
Metalled roads, tracks and grassy paths. Very boggy in places.
Car park opposite Nardini's Restaurant.
Bus or train to Largs.
NS201596
Park at the large car park on the seafront opposite Nardini's; there is a parking charge. The walk begins by heading north along the seafront promenade, passing the massive sculpture of Magnus the Viking - a reminder of the Battle of Largs in 1263 when the Scots defeated the Vikings to bring the Hebrides under the Scottish crown. Continue along the front until the Noddsdale Water forces the path to head inland upstream.
When the main road is reached cross carefully, turn right and then left to continue up Barr Crescent. The route follows the higher Knock Hill variant of the Ayrshire Coastal Path; ignore a footbridge but soon after fork left as signed to follow the path upstream beside the burn. The path emerges on a housing estate at Glen Avenue; turn left and follow this to reach the main junction with Brisbane Glen Road. Turn left and follow the road, initially on pavement but then on the road itself as open countryside is reached. Look out for a track on the left signed for High Road / Knock Hill; take this track, following it to Brisbane Mains Farm.
Pass the farm buildings and then follow the track through the gate on the right at the far end. Pass above the buildings, avoiding the free-range chickens. The now rougher track continues, passing through another gate. At one point the track leads through a sheep pen - bypass this on the right to rejoin the track beyond. There are good views of the rich farmland on this section. Further on - above a wooded burn - take the left fork (signed Ayrshire Coastal Path) to continue on a boggy ATV track uphill. A junction is reached by a marker - keep left here to begin the detour up to visit the summit of Knock Hill, which soon comes into view.
The boggy track leads to the left of Knock Hill and spirals round to ascend to the summit - or you can shortcut up the steep grass when the final cone is reached. The view expands to include the Cumbraes, Arran, Bute and a great sweep of the Firth of Clyde as the summit area is reached. A trig point marks the highest point, whilst the earthworks of the iron age fort which was once built here are still readily apparent.
Retrace your steps back down the hill and back along the boggy track. A marker post indicates where you can turn left to follow a very faint path to a wall, then turn right along rough ground beside the wall to rejoin the main boggy track at a gate in the wall lower down - alternatively, sticking to more obvious (though still wet) paths you can continue until back at the previous signed fork and then turn sharp left to reach the same gate. Pass through the gate and continue on the faint and boggy path to the left of the burn, passing some fine trees. Keep ahead until a corner in a fence enclosing the burn/ravine is reached; here keep along to the left side of the fence. Eventually the woods are entered at a kissing gate; continue down through the trees until you reach the tarmac road.
Turn left to follow this quiet minor road back towards Largs. It passes near the privately owned Knock Castle and a fine bulding opposite, continuing past the Routenburn Golf Course and giving some good views across to the Firth of Clyde. Eventually the main A78 is reached; turn left, to cross the bridge over Noddsdale Water and then right to retrace your steps downstream and back along the promenade to the car park. You may deserve that ice-cream...
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