Lonely Planet EnglandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet England
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet England covering Teesdale and Ullswater, the settings of High Force and Aira Force.
United Kingdom · North Ayrshire
Spout of Garnock
The Spout of Garnock is a waterfall in Ayrshire, Scotland. At approximately 60–70 ft high, it is the county's highest waterfall.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Spout of Garnock drops 20 metres (66 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Kilbirnie, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Spout of Garnock itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Kilbirnie are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
Getting there
- Base town Kilbirnie, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region North Ayrshire, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Spout of Garnock
United Kingdom
Height20 mWidth—
Most similar
Aldeyjarfoss
Iceland
Height20 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Most similar
Aldeyjarfoss
Iceland
Height20 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
20 m
20 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Spout of GarnockAldeyjarfossVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 49× taller than Spout of Garnock. Victoria Falls is 5.4× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Spout of Garnock yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Lonely Planet ScotlandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Scotland
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Scotland covering Glen Nevis, Kintail and the Moffat area.
The Rough Guide to ScotlandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Scotland
Rough Guides · 2025
Current Rough Guide with Highland and Borders detail for Steall, Glomach and Grey Mare's Tail trips.
Lonely Planet WalesLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Wales
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Wales covering the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and its waterfall country.
On the map
55.81111, -4.73514
Quick answers
Where is Spout of Garnock?
Spout of Garnock is in United Kingdom (North Ayrshire). The nearest base is Kilbirnie, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 55.8111, -4.7351.
How tall is Spout of Garnock?
Spout of Garnock drops 20 metres (66 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Spout of Garnock?
Peak flow is April to June and October. Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
What can you do at Spout of Garnock?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Spout of Garnock?
The usual base is Kilbirnie, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Spout of Garnock
Bracklinn Falls
United Kingdom · 60 km away
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Falls of Falloch
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Falls of Falloch is a waterfall and local beauty spot on the river Falloch off the A82. It is 7 km south-west…
Bonnington Pavilion
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The Bonnington Pavilion or Hall of Mirrors, now a ruin, is situated in the grounds of the old estate of…
Falls of Lora
United Kingdom · 80 km away
Falls of Lora is a waterfall in United Kingdom.