Starting Point for the Walk:

At the South Beach Esplanade Car Park on Troon sea front – OS Reference NS 326 298.  Parking is free.  There is other parking available on the street (South Beach – B749) if the car park is full.

Getting there: 34 miles/42 minutes

Take your favourite route to the M77 towards Kilmarnock.  Continue onto the A77 and at Dutch House Roundabout take the third exit towards Irvine (A78).  At the Monktonhead Roundabout take the second exit towards Prestwick Airport (A79).  Having cleared the roundabout move to the righthand lane and continue indicating right.  Turn right towards Troon (B749).  Continue on this road and just past the 30mph signs the road turns 90° left.  Continue over the railway line and just as the road (B749) turns 90° right, to parrallel the seafront, turn left into the car park.

The Walk:  Troon to Prestwick to Troon – 7.9 miles (13 km) (Shorter option available)

This beach walk uses parts of the Smugglers’ Trail and the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

Exit the car park onto the esplanade and cross the sea wall onto the beach.  Turn left and follow the beach south.  Where the Pow Burn exits into the sea continue inland (but still on the beach) before climbing a few steps to join a well-defined path skirting the southern end of the Royal Troon Golf Course and passing the Prestwick Holiday Park.  Keep to the roadway past the entrance to the holiday park heading for a set of closed gates.  Just before the gates turn right through a wooden gate and right again to join another roadway.  Cross the bridge over the Pow Burn and veer right off the roadway to a signed rising pathway towards the dunes.  Continue over the dunes to join the beach once again and turn left.  At the water pumping station join the esplanade and continue around the bay until the esplanade comes to an end.  At this point, admire the views, turnaround and retrace the outward route.

If you wish a shorter walk of about 4 miles you can get the train back to Troon from Prestwick Town station.