We are the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
This walk is a great way to explore some of the surroundings of Helensburgh taking in parts of the John Muir way. The route uses a mixture of pavements, unsealed footpaths and forestry tracks.
The walk is an easy 7 mile route (C+), Total height climbed is about 700 feet, but no steep ascents.
There are various points of interest along the way – the McIntosh Hill House, a cup and ring ice-age rock, great views of the upper Firth of Clyde, Rhu Point and the Clyde Submarine Base at Faslane, Rhu marina and finally the Duchess Wood.
We return to Hillhouse where there is good coffee and cake available in the cafe.
Risk Assessment:
Should it be wet the paths may be a bit muddy, but gaiters are unlikely to be needed. Walking poles could be useful as some of the loop can be rutted with tree roots. Care should be taken on short sections of the route where there is road walking but no pavements.
Meet at East Ayrshire Council Headquarters, 95 London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7DD at 08:30 to organise car sharing and leave prompt at 08:40.
We will meet in the car park behind the Rennie MacIntosh Hill House at the top of Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh. The walk start time will be 10:00am. Please inform Graham Robertson, walk leader 07867544342 if intending to go direct to starting point. Please see map at the beginning of the walk report for travel directions.
