02 8319 2266 from Australia
416-628-3473 from Canada
04 889 4515 from New Zealand
646-757-1102 from the USA
Arran Coastal Way
Arrival day: Arrive in Brodick
After taking the ferry from the mainland, arrive in the charming town of Brodick – the island’s main hub. Here, you can find pubs, restaurants and shops and get yourself ready for the upcoming adventure!
Hotel in Brodick (breakfast)
After taking the ferry from the mainland, arrive in the charming town of Brodick – the island’s main hub. Here, you can find pubs, restaurants and shops and get yourself ready for the upcoming adventure!
Hotel in Brodick (breakfast)
Stage 1: Brodick to Corrie
Red 2 (grade) 13.7km with 890m ascent, 890m descent
On the first day, you’ll be heading straight for the island’s highest point – Goatfell. Ascending through shady forest, you will climb steadily up and out on to the rocky foothills of this modest mountain. After reaching the summit, you will be treated to 360° views and get a good vantage point of the island you are about to walk around!
Note: If you would prefer, you can take our low alternative route on this day, which falls into our Blue grade.
Hotel in Corrie (breakfast)
Red 2 (grade) 13.7km with 890m ascent, 890m descent
On the first day, you’ll be heading straight for the island’s highest point – Goatfell. Ascending through shady forest, you will climb steadily up and out on to the rocky foothills of this modest mountain. After reaching the summit, you will be treated to 360° views and get a good vantage point of the island you are about to walk around!
Note: If you would prefer, you can take our low alternative route on this day, which falls into our Blue grade.
Hotel in Corrie (breakfast)
Stage 2: Corrie to Lochranza
Blue 2 (grade) 17.7km with 120m ascent, 120m descent
You will spend this day with the sea right beside you, following a grassy path around the northeast corner of the island – a section far from any roads and a good spot for birdwatching! Eventually, you will reach one of the island’s most beautiful and atmospheric villages – Lochranza. Spend your free time exploring the castle ruins or sipping whisky at the renowned distillery, or getting some well deserved rest after the day of walking.
Hostel at Lochranza (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 17.7km with 120m ascent, 120m descent
You will spend this day with the sea right beside you, following a grassy path around the northeast corner of the island – a section far from any roads and a good spot for birdwatching! Eventually, you will reach one of the island’s most beautiful and atmospheric villages – Lochranza. Spend your free time exploring the castle ruins or sipping whisky at the renowned distillery, or getting some well deserved rest after the day of walking.
Hostel at Lochranza (breakfast)
Stage 3: Lochranza to Imachar
Blue 2 (grade) 15.6km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Start the day by heading up into the forest atop the hills, with views out to sea opening up between the trees as you progress. Coming back down to sea level, you will do a bit of road walking as you come around to the island’s quiet and peaceful west coast. Finish the day in Imachar, from where you can take a bus down to Blackwaterfoot to spend the night.
Hotel at Blackwaterfoot (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 15.6km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Start the day by heading up into the forest atop the hills, with views out to sea opening up between the trees as you progress. Coming back down to sea level, you will do a bit of road walking as you come around to the island’s quiet and peaceful west coast. Finish the day in Imachar, from where you can take a bus down to Blackwaterfoot to spend the night.
Hotel at Blackwaterfoot (breakfast)
Stage 4: Imachar to Blackwaterfoot
Blue 2 (grade) 16.4km with 100m ascent, 100m descent
Begin the day by taking the bus back up to Imachar. From here, continue down the coast and eventually reach the stunning area around Machrie, where you can find the famous standing stones, and then to the beaches and caves just outside of Blackwaterfoot. Continue walking into the village for your second night there.
Hotel in Blackwaterfoot (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 16.4km with 100m ascent, 100m descent
Begin the day by taking the bus back up to Imachar. From here, continue down the coast and eventually reach the stunning area around Machrie, where you can find the famous standing stones, and then to the beaches and caves just outside of Blackwaterfoot. Continue walking into the village for your second night there.
Hotel in Blackwaterfoot (breakfast)
Stage 5: Blackwaterfoot to Lagg
Blue 2 (grade) 11.5km with 150m ascent, 130m descent
This section is relatively short and straightforward and there is a coastal route or inland route to choose from. You will wind around the southwest corner of the island, passing by the Lagg Distillery and reaching the cosy Lagg Hotel, which is nestled in a lovely garden.
Hotel in Lagg (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 11.5km with 150m ascent, 130m descent
This section is relatively short and straightforward and there is a coastal route or inland route to choose from. You will wind around the southwest corner of the island, passing by the Lagg Distillery and reaching the cosy Lagg Hotel, which is nestled in a lovely garden.
Hotel in Lagg (breakfast)
Stage 6: Lagg to Whiting Bay
Blue 3 (grade) 20.4km with 430m ascent, 450m descent
Continue your journey down to the south of the island, where you will get spectacular views of the Pladda Lighthouse and Ailsa Craig in the background. You will then head inland and up into a forested section of the walk, passing the peculiar Giant’s Graves and a little further on, the gorgeous Eas a’ Chrannaig waterfall. From there, follow the forest trail down to Whiting Bay for a well-earned rest.
Hotel in Whiting Bay (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 20.4km with 430m ascent, 450m descent
Continue your journey down to the south of the island, where you will get spectacular views of the Pladda Lighthouse and Ailsa Craig in the background. You will then head inland and up into a forested section of the walk, passing the peculiar Giant’s Graves and a little further on, the gorgeous Eas a’ Chrannaig waterfall. From there, follow the forest trail down to Whiting Bay for a well-earned rest.
Hotel in Whiting Bay (breakfast)
Stage 7: Whiting Bay to Brodick
Blue 2 (grade) 17.9km with 190m ascent, 190m descent
On this final section of the loop, Holy Island will dominate the views out at sea as you come back around to the island’s east coast. Pass through the lively village of Lamlash and continue onto the final stretch of grassy hills with Goatfell coming into view once again. A final section through fields high up on the hill will bring you back to the road at the top of Brodick.
Hotel in Brodick (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 17.9km with 190m ascent, 190m descent
On this final section of the loop, Holy Island will dominate the views out at sea as you come back around to the island’s east coast. Pass through the lively village of Lamlash and continue onto the final stretch of grassy hills with Goatfell coming into view once again. A final section through fields high up on the hill will bring you back to the road at the top of Brodick.
Hotel in Brodick (breakfast)
Departure Day: Depart from Brodick
Enjoy breakfast and take one last breath of the crisp island air before boarding the ferry back to the mainland.
Enjoy breakfast and take one last breath of the crisp island air before boarding the ferry back to the mainland.
Options
Make the trip shorterIt is easy to make this trip shorter as there is a road going around the island (and one through the middle) so you can join or leave the trail wherever you wish. You could split the route into a neat North or South divide, with Brodick and Blackwaterfoot being the logical start and end points. Alternatively, we can also offer a 6-stage trip which combines stages 3 and 4, meaning you would only spend one night in Blackwaterfoot instead of 2 as per our standard itinerary.
Please ask us for more details on options for shortening the trip.
Add a rest day
If you want to add a rest day somewhere, this is also possible. The Isle of Arran is a relatively quiet place and there isn’t a huge variety of things to keep you busy on a day off from the trail, but if you were looking to simply rest, then we can book extra nights at any of the accommodations. Another option is to visit Holy Island on a day trip, which you could do from Whiting Bay or Brodick. Extra time in Brodick might also be an attractive option as they have a brewery, a castle and a lovely beach to relax at. Let us know if you are interested to extend the trip and we will be happy to help.
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and all arrangements taken care of. You're welcome to walk on any date within our season and we can adjust the hike to suit your needs. Please get in touch for more details of our private guided option.
2026 Prices
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Arran Coastal Way 1 May to 17 Sept 2026 |
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| Classic | |||
| Self-guided | |||
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6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 1,080 Singles 570 105 per dog |
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7 stages (8 nights) |
GBP 1,180 Singles 650 120 per dog Main Trip |
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| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer To all stops |
GBP 80 per bag (for 2 bags) | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our classic trip stays in a mix of hotels and one hostel. Our team members have stayed at all of the accommodations we use and can vouch for their comfort and character.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips.
Bring your dog
In common with most of our UK trips, we're delighted that you can walk with your dog! Our dog friendly itinerary allows your dog to stay with you in your room each night and walk alongside you each day. Please just let us know when you book if you'd like to bring a dog.
Route
Our approach to the Arran Coastal Way
This trip is a full circuit of the Isle of Arran, visiting the main villages and passing through the best areas the island has to offer. We offer some safer alternative routes for the sections affected by tide times and a low level route to skip the ascent to Goatfell too. Following the route in the traditional anti-clockwise direction, you will get the full Arran experience with our trip!
The Terrain
The walking is mixed on this route – with sections of rocky and sandy beaches, rocky mountain paths, forest paths and some road walking. Care should be taken on the road sections but generally, there isn’t too much traffic around.
The trail up to Goatfell is well-trodden but requires some care as it is rocky and steep as you approach the summit.
Attention is also needed on Stage 5 as this part of the route goes along a tidal section. We provide information on tide times and also offer an inland route if you do find yourself there when the tide is in.
Is it for me?
We grade this trail in our Blue category, which is on the easier side of things. With the exception of the walk up to Goatfell (which can be skipped with our low level route), there isn’t too much ascent or descent throughout the trip and the daily distances are manageable for those with a reasonable level of fitness. The route is well signposted, the path is usually clear and there are options to skip or shorten stages with public transport. In poor weather or low visibility, sections of the trail might become more difficult so extra care might be needed then, but generally this is a very accessible and enjoyable trip to anyone who is keen to complete a long distance walk!
Arran Coastal Way Walking Guide - for more background
How to get there
First of all, you will need to reach Glasgow, which receives many international flights and has bus and train connections from other parts of the UK too. (If you prefer, reach Edinburgh, which is a bigger airport, and from there take the quick train to Glasgow.)
From Glasgow, take a train to one of the port towns of Ardrossan or Troon. Board the CalMac ferry and enjoy the journey across the Forth of Clyde to reach Brodick, where your walk will begin!
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation and Itinerary - tailored to your preferences
- Breakfast every morning
- Detailed Routecards ACW1-7 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- Topographical map detailing the full route
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive Season Update following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (8am until 8pm in the UK)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Transport to reach off-route accommodation (unless otherwise specified)
- Any other local transport taken whilst on the trip
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals
- Baggage transfer (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
Our baggage option on the Arran Coastal Way takes your bag to each night's accommodation. Each morning, simply leave your bag with your host or at reception and it will arrive at your next accommodation. Alternatively, you can leave excess luggage at your hotel in Brodick and carry only what you need for your walk, then pick your bag back up when you return to Brodick at the end of the trip.
Questions about the Arran Coastal Way?
Feel free to ask any questions about your planning. Ben, Caoimhe, Eve, Evie, Ione, Lucy, Nicky, Rob, Simon, Skylar or Steph will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time hiking our routes (and trails around the world) so please ask us anything.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday |
| Our national-rate numbers. Please use for a cheaper call to our Edinburgh office |
From the USA: 646-757-1102 From Canada: 416-628-3473 From Australia: 02 8319 2266 From New Zealand: 04 889 4515 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Our best-represented countries are the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Rock formations near Blackwaterfoot
Alpine Exploratory
