Walk: Brown Carrick Hill - caravans, crabs & castle

[View over Ayr from Brown Carrick Hill]

An interesting hill walk? In Ayrshire? This ascent of Brown Carrick Hill cleverly combines a grassy summit with a beguiling section of the Ayrshire coastal way, starting from the lovely fishing village of Dunure - complete with its ruined castle, harbour and the Dunure Inn (which serves food). Finding the right day requires a bit of planning - sections of the coast path are tidal - but hopefully you'll have a few minutes spare to dabble in the rock pools: crabs of all shapes and sizes guaranteed! Before all that though, you've a small hill to climb, with excellent views all the way into the Highlands from the broad summit on a clear day.

[Parts of the coastal section of the route are tidal - plan accordingly]

 📌 Walk: Brown Carrick Hill - caravans, crabs & castle ★★★☆☆
▶ 14 km / 9 miles | ▲ 350 metres | ⌚ Half day walk
Main summits: Brown Carrick Hill (287 metres, sub-2000')
Points of interest: Ayrshire coastline; Dunure; Dunure Castle
Start / finish: Limited street parking at Dunure harbour, G.R.: NS 254160 ///image.request.lordship

Route: Car park, Dunure & harbour - Dunure Castle - Fisherton - track junction just before Dunduff Farm - Brown Carrick Hill - radio masts - road to east - Heads of Ayr caravan park - start via coast path
Terrain: Paths (variety of surfaces), tracks, roads (mostly quiet or with pavement). Sustained ascent from Dunure, but not too steep; very short boggy sections.
Wildlife today: Sheep & lambs, cows, roe deer. Rock pool life and seabirds on coastal stretch. Biting horseflies on the hill.
Weather today: Sunshine with temperature in mid-20s, but a light sea breeze for most of the walk.
Anything else? Short parts of the coastal section are submerged for up to a couple of hours either side of high tide.

>> Dunure ★★☆☆☆
>> Dunure Castle  ★★☆☆☆

[Brown Carrick Hill seen from the A719]

Route map


Route credit: Scotland off the beaten track

More photos

[Dunure Harbour]

[Dunure Castle (13/2/16)]

[Middle section of the ascent to Brown Carrick Hill]

[Summit and trig point]

[Looking west from the summit]

[Ailsa Craig]

[Looking towards the eastern summit]

[The descent follows a quiet road]

[Views from the dismantled railway section of the coast path]

[Steps down to the shoreline]

[Shoreline section ahead - partly tidal]

[Sea views]

[Along the coast]

[Catching crabs]

[Approach to Dunure]

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