Route Suitability
The Ayrshire Coastal Path is essentially a practical ‘route’ rather than a formal laid-out path. Consequently – and especially in the south – it is primarily a route for well-equipped agile walkers, since many stretches along cliff-tops, up gullies, and over rough rocky shores are not suitable for cyclists, horses, or slip-on shoes.
Since it has very few steep hill climbs, the ACP is less daunting than some other Long Distance Routes. And happily, the topography of the broad bights of Ayr and Irvine Bays, with their low-lying hinterland, provides an almost uninterrupted beach walk from Girvan to Largs – almost two-thirds of the entire route. Here is some Grading advice to help choose your best route.
Fastest Known Time (FKT): We don’t encourage running on the ACP, but occasionally we are asked if an attempt on the FKT would be allowed. We have developed an FKT Protocol, which includes letting the ACP Board of Management know of the attempt, along with advising landowners.