Muirshiel Visitor Centre - Lochwinnoch

Amelie C.

The entry to the park and all trails is located where the map indicates “Yew (to Lichwinnoh).” You can park immediately on the left at the first parking area (right at the gate), or at any of the other parking areas on the way to the visitor centre—where there is a large car park.

The estimated times given for the five trails may be based on walking with children. For someone aged 50+ who does not walk regularly, I found the following timings more accurate:
1. Windy Hill – 20–25 minutes
2. Yellow Path – 30 minutes
3. Green Path – 10 minutes
4. Waterfall Path – 10 minutes
5. Mine track – 1.5 hours back/forth to the commemoration sign (see photo)

All five trails are perfectly doable in a single day—I walked all of them between 10:00 and 13:00.

My favourite by far was the Mine Track. It is the only one that offers unspoiled nature - heather landscape on both sides throughout. When I visited (Friday, first week of August), there were very few other visitors—only three other walkers across all trails, and just two or three cars in the visitor parking area.

The toilets are unlocked when the visitor centre staff arrive at 11:00 am. There are signs explaining this on site.

This is a very well-maintained walking area—many thanks for making it available. A small suggestion: please consider publishing the trail map on the park’s website. When I was planning my visit, I could only find it via Google Reviews, where the photo quality was poor. I’ve now attached clearer photos of the map.

George T.

Lots of parking available as well as toilets in the visitor centre. The trails are very well maintained and the scenery is stunning.

Jackie P.

Really lovely place for a dog walk, super friendly cafe allowing dogs in, toilets, snacks and drinks. Lovely views across the hills and Autumn colours.cafe takes card payment

Ken M.

A place to enjoy nature and silence.
Obviously, the better half was in the loo with the 2 dogs waiting patiently.

My S.

Wonderful semi wild area, fantastic views and habitats. Plenty birdlife to see. Lovely visitor centre building and dog friendly basic cafe, friendly staff but very sadly lacking any uptodate information on local wildlife and recent sightings which was very unexpected and not particularly inspiring to any new visitors or kids. Come on, you can do better, that's not a budget issue, it's a values issue.

Scott

Excellent place that leads to a number of walks. I visited the mines which is 2.5 miles each way. The path leading up to the mines are not suitable for a buggy/pram as we found out. The scenery on the walk is beautiful as expected in this part of the world. There is ample parking and a visitors center with access to toilets which is great. I will be back to go on one of the number of walks here soon.

Mike A.

Beautiful valley with some great views. Loads of walks, all well marked with a map at the visitor centre showing rough times and difficulty.
If you have a camper van you can stay overnight in the car parks at no cost, but there are no facilities other than toilets. Will definitely be visiting again.

David R.

Some good, easy walking for all abilities - a mix of forest, heathland and a nice river. A few well kept gravel trails give short walks around this compact area and they can be combined to give a couple of hours of enjoyment. Highlights are windy hill and the smallish waterfall. Parking is free, toilets are open when the visitors centre is open.