It winds its way through East and South Ayrshire to its mouth at the town of Ayr, where it empties into the Firth of Clyde.

Major land uses within the catchment area are agriculture, forestry, mining, leisure and recreation and urban development.

Principal tributaries include: Many practitioners of hillwalking and other related activities are probably aware that the river is pathed for upwards of 90% of its length.

Due to disputes with estate owners and weather damage, the walk does temporarily abandon the river in a couple of locations.

The path begins in the former village of Glenbuck, now a casualty of opencast mining and general industry decline.