The Arran Coastal Way has been greatly improved over the last year with new waymarking, path improvements and a new website. A monument to mark the start and finish of the walk in Brodick is planned for later this year. A detailed route description with free OS mapping is now available on Walkhighlands.
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.
Rachel Sedman, Project Co-ordinator for the Arran Coastal Way said, “We are really pleased WalkHighlands now covers the Arran Coastal Way. It’s such a great route with loads of variety in the types of walking and the scenery. The Arran Access Trust’s 2-year project to upgrade the route (2014-2016) is really coming along, with new sections of path, beach cleans and that all important footpath maintenance, we hope it will encourage walkers to come and explore our beautiful island. The route descriptions, maps and gps available from WalkHighlands are real assets to anyone wanting to tackle the Arran Coastal Way.”
Arran is famed as being ‘Scotland in miniature’, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the route enjoys fabulous scenery throughout. The Way doesn’t stick completely by the coastline, venturing inland at several points to sample the best the island has to offer including an ascent of the highest peak, Goat Fell.
The route begins with an (optional) ascent to Goatfell, 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 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. Check out the route descriptions on Walkhighlands and the Arran Coastal Way website.