Strathkelvin Railway Path
Overview
25.6 km
Description
This easy out-and-back ride along the old railway provides a relaxing day’s traffic-free exploration off the main canal towpath, making it an ideal family choice.
Setting off from Canal Street in Kirkintilloch, the scenic railway route, which closed in 1966, is now a tree and flower-lined path, running close by the Glazert Water.
This route follows the John Muir Way from Kirkintilloch, skirting the towns of Milton of Campsie and Lennoxtown. Follow the waymarkers and take in the views of the Campsie Fells all the way to Strathblane, where you can stop for some refreshments before the return journey.
Terrain
This route follows the John Muir Way along the Strathkelvin Railway Path and is fully waymarked. Following a former railway means it’s virtually flat for most of the route. The surface is predominantly tarmac but there are sections with tree roots breaking through, making it bumpy in places.
Getting There
BY RAIL: The nearest train station is Lenzie, approximately 2 km away.
BY BUS: This area is served by the 89 bus service between Glasgow and Kilsyth.
BY CAR: There is parking nearby at New Lairdsland Road and Barleybank Car Park.
Facilities
While the route skirts past the towns of Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie and Campsie Glen, there are numerous chances to take a side path into each town to grab some refreshments on the way.
Points of interest
The Auld Kirk Museum
Kirkintilloch houses one of Scotland's smallest 4-star visitor attractions – the Auld Kirk Museum.
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Mugdock Country Park
This expansive park with great views has a ruined castle, art gallery, cafe and a network of woodland trails to explore.
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Loch Ardinning Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve
Loch Ardinning is a visitor-friendly wildlife haven with 142 hectares of varied habitat, including wetland, woodland, grassland and moorland. The loch itself supports a number of wintering and breeding wildfowl and is rich in invertebrate life.
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Dunglass Hill
This volcanic plug sits right beside the path near Strathblane and although not as high as the nearby Campsie Fells, is still worth a quick ascent to catch the view of the surrounding area.
