Woodland Walk

When visiting Dundonald it is worth taking the walk from the castle to the ruins of Auchans House. Part of the formal path has been upgraded and completed and the walk provides a lovely stroll through the flora and fauna of the ancient wood. For those wishing something a little more invigorating the following route provides up to 5km of walks to the house and up and over the hill.

Dundonald Hill Walk

This is a pleasant but short walk around Dundonald hill starting at the Castle car park. Go down behind the visitors centre cross the bridge in 250m going right then left along the path to Auchans House. Continue around the house then uphill and left. The good path ends but carry on and before the path goes downhill take the right track up towards the field. Continue high round the top of the cliffs and then descend to a better track.

Keep your eyes peeled for a small track on the right and take this uphill, it contours round the hill past a wooden platform, dips to a muddy bit, then climbs up some small rocky steps to the edge of Hillhouse quarry. The track swings right and goes over the hilltop down to a muddy area where the tracks disappears but make the best way over it back to the bigger track and the return route. Return below the cliffs over the bridge again and up to the visitors centre for a snack or tickets to view the castle.

This walk was taken from http://www.geocities.com/wheehamx/WalksKeyMap.htm which provides a list of alternative walks throughout Ayrshire.

The Smugglers' Trail

This easy to moderate woodland and coastal walk leads from the back of the Visitor Centre (beside which there is a large information signboard map showing the route) through the ancient woodland and over the hill to Collennan Farm past the reservoir with its splendid views of the Firth of Clyde.

It then passes along Main Street, Loans, down through Fullarton Woods, past Crosbie Kirk, along the Wrack Road across Royal Troon Golf Course, and ends up at South Beach, Troon.

This historic route has been in regular use from early times and takes about 45 minutes from Dundonald to Collennan, with the total walk taking about 2 hours. There are car parks at Dundonald Castle and South Beach, Troon.

The Smugglers' Trail was developed in collaboration with the Community Councils of Dundonald, Loans and Troon, and with South Ayrshire Council's assistance.

This walk also features on the Ayrshire Coastal Path.