Goatfell is the highest point on Arran and the shape that defines the northern horizon from Girvan beach. At 874 metres it is a proper mountain, and on a clear day the summit view takes in the whole Firth of Clyde, Kintyre, Ireland and — remarkably — Ailsa Craig and the Ayrshire coast you started from.
The route
The standard way up starts at Cladach, by the Arran Brewery at the Brodick Castle gates. The path runs through the castle woods, out onto open moorland beside the Cnocan Burn, and up the long eastern shoulder before a rocky final ridge to the summit.
About seven miles return and five to six hours on the hill. The path is well made and clear for most of the way; the last section is boulder and rock, requiring hands in places but not scrambling.
The catch for day-trippers
Cladach is about two miles from the ferry pier, which is the detail that undoes people planning this between sailings. You need to walk, bus or taxi that distance at each end — so budget an extra hour or so on top of the five to six on the hill.
Doing it from Girvan in a day means: drive north to the ferry port (check which one is operating — see our Arran day trip), take an early sailing, get to Cladach, climb, get back, and catch a late-afternoon or evening boat. It is possible and people do it, but it is a long day with no slack in it, and a missed return sailing is an expensive problem.
If you can stay on Arran overnight, do.
Taking it seriously
The summit is exposed and rocky, the weather changes fast, and cloud regularly sits on the top when Brodick is in sunshine. Carry OS Explorer 361, a compass, waterproofs, warm layers, food, water and a head torch.
Boots rather than trainers — the upper section is boulder-field. Check the mountain forecast, not the coastal one, and be prepared to turn back: the mountain will still be there.
While you are there
Brodick Castle is at the foot of the path, with a café — a reasonable reward, though note the castle is seasonal and closed in winter. See the Isle of Arran day trip for ferries, and the Merrick for the mainland equivalent, which needs no boat.
