Clyde Walkway

55°43′58″N 3°52′50.96″W / 55.73278°N 3.8808222°W / 55.73278; -3.8808222

Clyde Walkway
Corra Linn above New Lanark
Length65 km (40 mi)
LocationCentral Scotland
Established2005
DesignationScotland's Great Trails
TrailheadsPartick station, Glasgow 55°52′12″N 4°18′32″W / 55.870°N 4.309°W / 55.870; -4.309
Bonnington Linn, New Lanark 55°38′49″N 3°46′12″W / 55.647°N 3.77°W / 55.647; -3.77
UseHiking
Elevation gain/loss720 metres (2,360 ft) gain[1]
SightsRiver Clyde

The Clyde Walkway is a foot and mountain bike path which runs from Glasgow, Scotland, to just above the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark. The path runs close to the River Clyde for most of its length. It was completed in 2005, and is now designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot.[1] The route is 65 kilometres (40 mi) long, and combines rural sections on the upper Clyde in South Lanarkshire, including the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve and the Falls of Clyde, with urban walking through the centre of Glasgow.[2] About 155,000 people use the path every year, of whom about 7,750 undertake multi-day journeys including those covering the entire route.[3]

Route of the path

Glasgow to Cambuslang Bridge

This section, which is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) long, starts 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. The path passes a number of sites of interest.

Cambuslang Bridge to Strathclyde Country Park

For most of this section the path stays close to the River Clyde. It passes Bothwell Castle, David Livingstone Centre, the remains of Craighead Viaduct, Raith Haugh Nature Reserve and Bothwell Bridge Lido. After crossing Bothwell Road at the Lido the path used to return to the side of the river, but since the Raith Interchange upgrade now shares the cycle paths over the interchange and under the M74 in to Strathclyde Park. This section of the path ends at the Watersports Centre in Strathclyde Country Park. The nearest railway station is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) away at Motherwell on both the West Coast Main Line and Argyle Line. This section is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in length.

Strathclyde Country Park to Cardies Bridge

This section, which is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) 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 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi) from the closest train station at Wishaw.

Cardies Bridge to Crossford

This 10 km (6.2 mi) section 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 approximately 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) away, uphill at Carluke.

Crossford to New Lanark

This section, which is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) long, 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 21 m (69 ft) high and migrating salmon and sea trout cannot get any higher up the river. After passing Lanark (founded 1180) the path enters the UNESCO 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 28 m (92 ft) 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 approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from New Lanark. The station is one of the termini of the Argyle Line.

References

  1. ^ a b "Trails". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Clyde Walkway". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Scotland's networks of paths and trails: key research findings" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. August 2018. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  • South Lanarkshire Council, Leisure & Recreation Department. The Clyde Walkway.
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