(Click for bigger view)
The MARCH Weekday Walk will be on TUESDAY 25th and will basically follow the Ayrshire Coastal Path from Prestwick to Troon.
We'll meet at the car park in Prestwick adjacent to Prestwick Sailing Club at 10am and start from there .. the car park always has plenty of space on weekdays and is free.
Satnavs: KA9 1SN
Maps: GR NS 346263
w3w: ///pushed.slave.ending
(Click for bigger view)
From the car park we'll carry on along Prestwick Prom for about 1/2km to the next carpark where there is a cafe and loos for an early stop if required. We'll then carry on along the short distance of prom to the end, past the play centre to the Water Works building. At this point we'll carry on along the beach, where the tide will be on the way out, to the point where the river joins the sea .. always a great spot for many wading birds.
It's not possible to cross the river at this point, so we'll head up river along a path to the golf driving range, walk along the edge of the driving range then down to the bridge over the river close to the holiday park. The path now follows the river downstream until it reaches the beach along to Troon. We'll walk along the beach for about 2km, when we can carry on along the beach if preferred or head up to the parallel footpath for another 1km or so to the cafe, ice cream shop and loos.
From here, we'll walk along on the path above the rocky shore past Port Ronnald. At this point we can walk along the low level stone path out towards the point and lighthouse. If the weather happens to be a bit windy, this path can become a bit wet and unsafe in which case the higher path can be taken. Round the point we'll arrive at Troon Harbour where it's always interesting to take a short diversion to the well known Wee Hurry fish and chip shop where a snack can be had if desired. These days, this is only practical if the weather is reasonable, as there are now no longer any inside seats, just some picnic benches.
We'll then head back towards Troon past the Marina and Harbour Bar to the town centre, where on our last trip to this area the ice cream shop was very popular. From the town centre we'll catch one of the frequent buses back to Prestwick.
(Click for bigger view)
The route in total is about 10-11km (7miles) and is as level as a route can be, with a likely time of about 3-3.5 hours depending on any stops.
If you would like to go on this walk please let me know by Monday 24th March.
Ian Moffatt, March Weekday Organiser
m: 07745 229076
NEXT DATE: Wednesday 30 April .. location to be decided.
