Where the coastal path takes the old coach road over Pinbain Hill, this route keeps climbing. It is the high alternative to the shore walk between Lendalfoot and Girvan, and on a clear day it is the better of the two — you get the same coastline, but from six hundred feet above it.
The route
From near Kennedy's Pass, climb from Pinbain up onto Grey Hill, the highest point at 297 metres. From there the route runs north along the crest over Fell Hill and Mains Hill before dropping onto Byne Hill and down into Ainslie Park at the south end of Girvan promenade.
About five and a half miles, two and a half to three and a half hours, and it is a linear route — so the sensible way to do it is to take the bus south to Lendalfoot in the morning and walk home.
The view
This is why you climb. The ridge runs parallel to the coast with the whole Firth of Clyde laid out below: Ailsa Craig offshore, Arran to the north, Kintyre beyond, and on the clearest days the Antrim coast. Inland the Carrick hills roll away towards Galloway. It is a bigger view than Byne Hill alone because you hold it for three miles rather than ten minutes.
What to know
The ground is grass and track with pathless sections, and it is boggy in places — the local description of low 'sogginess' is doing some work. After wet weather expect to get your feet wet. It is not technical or exposed, but there is no constructed path, so carry a map and compass and be prepared to navigate if the cloud comes down. In poor visibility there is nothing to see and the going is easy to lose.
This is open hill and working farmland with sheep. Keep dogs on leads near livestock, close gates and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
There is no shelter, no water and no escape route once you are on the ridge apart from dropping to the A77. Boots, waterproofs and food.
Combining it
The obvious pairing is with the shore: walk out along the coastal path from Lendalfoot one day and take the ridge the next, and you will have seen this stretch of coast from both ends. See walking near Girvan.
