| 1. Start off on Largs Main Street (A78) and head south on A78 to signpost "Fairlie Moor" just after Fins restaurant. There follows a long and in places steep climb for about 4 miles, but then a long descent into Dalry.
Head for Dalry train station then follow map route on minor roads to Stewarton, and Fenwick. From Fenwick head north on the NCN route which is a wide path adjacent to the A77 road (which is now hardly used after the building of the M77).
Follow signs east across the Eaglesham moor into Eaglesham, then the B road to Clarkston. From Clarkston things get a bit busy, using the main road to Paisley. From the Hurlet junction, I strongly recommend staying off the 70mph dual carriageway and instead use the pedestrian free footpath of the opposing carriageway until you get into Paisley.
In Paisley, find the Paisley canal rail station which is the start of the traffic free NCN route. Follow it through Elderslie towards Johnstone, but before you get to Johnstone there is a right turn following the old railway path to Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm.
The rail path ends at the only pub in Kilmacolm, then follow the NCN route for Port Glasgow. Approximately 1 mile out of Kilmacolm, leave the cycle route and follow the B roads as per map th the High Greenock Road.
When you reach that turn left for about 100 yards before turning right onto the Garshangan Road towards Dowries Farm. After a while this road becomes a rough Land Rover track, but is still negotiable with care even on a road bike. At the end of this road is Loch Thom.
Turn left, go round the east side of the Loch and you are on the road back to Largs. A short climb and then about 5 miles of a descent into Largs! |