Clyde Walkway

Corra Linn above New Lanark

The Clyde Walkway is a foot and mountain bike path 40 miles long which runs through the midst of Lanarkshire following the River Clyde, from Glasgow to just above New Lanark, a World Heritage Site.

The path runs close to Clyde for most of its length.

The route was completed in 2005, and is now designated as one of 'Scotland's Great Trails' by NatureScot.

The route combines rural sections on the upper Clyde, including the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve and the Falls of Clyde, and also with urban walking through the centre of Glasgow. About 155,000 people use the path every year, of whom about 7,750 undertake multi-day journeys including those covering the entire route.

Route of the path

Trailheads

• Partick station in Glasgow: 55°52’12"N, 4°18’32"W
• Bonnington Linn, New Lanark: 55°38’49"N, 3°46’12"W

Glasgow to Cambuslang Bridge

The section from Glasgow to Cambuslang Bridge is 9½ miles long, starting at Partick station (which is on a railway line from Glasgow Central station) and proceeds on the north bank of the River Clyde to Cambuslang Bridge. The bridge is a short distance from Cambuslang railway station. The path passes by a number of other long distance paths, including the Glasgow to Inverness National Cycle Route, the Kelvin Walkway and paths to Edinburgh, Irvine and Greenock.

Cambuslang Bridge to Strathclyde Country Park

The section from Cambuslang Bridge to Strathclyde Country Park is 8½ miles long and for most of this the path stays close to the River Clyde. It passes Bothwell Castle, the David Livingstone Centre, the remains of Craighead Viaduct and Raith Haugh Nature Reserve. This section of the path ends at the Watersports Centre in Strathclyde Country Park. The nearest railway station is a mile away at Motherwell, on both the West Coast Main Line and the Argyle Line.

Strathclyde Country Park to Cardies Bridge

This section, which is 8.7 miles (14.0 km) long, follows the north bank of the River Clyde (apart from a short section at the end) through open country. It passes the Avon Walkway which can be followed to Chatelherault Country Park. The section ends at Cardies Bride which is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from the closest train station at Wishaw.

Cardies Bridge to Crossford

The Cardies Bridge to Crossford section is 6 miles long and runs through attractive open countryside. This part of the Clyde Valley was famous for its orchards and greenhouses. Many remain, though few of the orchards are still in commercial production. The path passes the well preserved 16th century Craignethan Castle. This section ends at the village of Crossford. There are bus services to Lanark, and to Hamilton. The nearest railway station is three and a half away, uphill at Carluke.

Crossford to New Lanark

The final section, from Crossford to New Lanark, is 7 miles long and is arguably the most attractive section of the path. The path proceeds through open country along the banks of the River Clyde. It first passes Stonybyres Hydroelectric Station. This was built in 1927. The falls here are 69 feet high and migrating salmon and sea trout cannot get any higher up the river. After passing Lanark (a burgh founded 1180) the path enters the World Heritage village of New Lanark. The village and mills were built in the 18th century to harness the power of the River Clyde to process cotton. It is now a restored industrial village in a rural setting. Beyond the village the path enters the Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve and passes the Bonnington Hydroelectric Station, and the remaining three Falls of Clyde. The most spectacular of these is the 92-foot high Corra Linn.

The path ends in open countryside at the top fall, Bonnington Linn, where there is a dam to divert water to the power station. Lanark railway station is a mile and a half from New Lanark. The station is one of the termini of the Argyle Line.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Clyde Walkway)

• Clyde Walkway
• Clyde Walkway guide and maps on Walkhighlands

References

• South Lanarkshire Council, Leisure & Recreation Department. The Clyde Walkway.