Distance (km) | Ascent (metres) | Number of days | |
---|---|---|---|
65 | 720 | 3 - 5 | |
Start: Glasgow (city centre) | Finish: New Lanark |
Route type and direction
Linear. The route works equally well in either direction, whether starting from Glasgow or New Lanark.
Overview
The Clyde Walkway takes you on a journey through great scenery and many interesting and important sites that illustrate the cultural, natural and industrial heritage of the Clyde Valley. Enjoy Glasgow’s historic and modern architecture from the banks of the Clyde, now host to a rich variety of wildlife. Traverse from urban to rural via Strathclyde Country Park and Strathclyde Loch, passing through mature woodland and farmland through orchard country and spectacular wooded gorges to New Lanark World Heritage Site and the four Falls of Clyde.
Highlights
- Glasgow City Centre and the Clyde waterfront
- Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve
- Baron’s Haugh RSPB Reserve
- Strathclyde Country Park and Chatelherault Country Park
- Bothwell Castle & David Livingston Centre
- Cunningar Loop Forestry Commission Community Park
- the Falls of Clyde and New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site
Be aware
- a couple of urban sections of the route have lesser natural heritage and scenery, compensated by a wealth of industrial and cultural heritage
- not all sections of the route are suitable for all types of user (cyclists, equestrians, people with mobility issues)
The challenge
As a low-level route never rising above 200 m (660 ft) this trail is suitable for walkers of any age. No special equipment is needed other than appropriate footwear and drinking water as needed. Map-reading skills are sometimes useful as the route is not always well waymarked, but mostly follows well-defined paths. The route does not cross through remote or isolated areas and is accessible from many urban and rural communities.
Accommodation
There is plentiful hotel accommodation in the urban areas. There are hotels at Strathclyde Country Park and New Lanark. There are no campsites along the route.
Wild camping is legally allowed in Scotland if practised responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Support services
There are currently no support services for this route. However, in October 2017 an app was released, free to download for both Apple and Android platforms.
Public transport
Good bus and train services serve this route. For details, visit Traveline Scotland, or, for the entire UK, Traveline. For travel from anywhere to anywhere, try Rome2Rio.