Walks you can reach from Auchinleck by train

Highly recommended: Predominantly flat and on good surfaces, following riverside paths along the River Irvine and Annick Water and then a long straight former-railway cycle track and a few kilometres of farmland. Makes good use of underpasses; well signed as cycle route 73. Follows National Cycle Route 73 and is suitable for cycling. The riverside is tucked away through trees and grassland and is rich in nature.

1 lunch spot: the Brae

Warnings: Building work near the river at the Irvine end means some areas are cordoned off; the riverside route itself is unaffected. Giant hogweed grows beside the path in places and should be avoided as it has a nasty sting.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

glorious views all around; rewarding views. A long route with lots of tarmac but lovely scenery. A quiet road climbs steadily out of New Cumnock onto a well-maintained forestry track, then a short, slightly unclear grassy path through long grass at the top, before cinder and tarmac tracks descend to Kirkconnel. A short stretch of the A76 (with pavement) and then quiet country roads into Sanquhar. Kirkconnel has a supermarket, toilets and a bench. The route passes a former quarry and wind turbines with a well-signposted work site at the top.

Lunch: Kirkconnel, roughly mid-route, has a supermarket and toilets.

Warnings: Pathhead has no pavement; the road is fairly straight with good visibility but care is needed for passing farm and windfarm traffic. One short section of long grass at the high point is a little unclear.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An urban route that opens with pavement walking alongside busy roads, then improves markedly into quiet residential streets after the M77 underpass and with a clear path around housing by the Brock Burn and long views approaching Barrhead. Safe pavements throughout the road sections.

Destination pub: Plenty of options for refreshment at both ends of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Leaves Dumfries through riverside and castle parkland, then quiet country roads and a riverside footpath into Glencaple, followed by a long section on the B-roads (B725 then B724) with good verges and broken up by quiet rural tracks. Includes the longest climb of the day on a quiet road. Ruthwell has a small museum worth a stop. Geese, swans and other birdlife abound in the roadside fields.

1 lunch spot: Queensberry Bay Holiday Park café

Warnings: Long stretches of B-road walking; the B725 is relatively quiet with good verges, but the B724 becomes busier approaching Annan.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A very direct, varied urban walk full of contrasts, mixing main roads, residential streets, high streets, footpaths, parks and greenspaces through old and new and upmarket and downmarket neighbourhoods. Some steps at the Shettleston end. Passes the Hovis factory and over the St Enoch subway station; intersects many bus routes.

Lunch: Many shops, cafés, takeaways and restaurants, especially around Glasgow Central and Argyle Street; a wide choice of eating around the halfway point near Duke Street, then options thin out until Shettleston.

Warnings: The wooded entrance to Greenfield Recreation Ground may feel daunting for solo walkers at quiet times. Some steps, including at Shettleston station.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A fairly direct urban route on pavements that climbs out of Bishopbriggs to Springburn Park, then drops through Springburn and follows the main road into central Glasgow and weaving cleverly through underpasses and flyovers around the M8 junction. Includes a number of steps. Connects Glasgow's two main railway stations and the bus station, passing George Square; Springburn station is also on the route.

Lunch: Shops and facilities at Springburn around the halfway point.

Warnings: A short stretch runs along the busy A803, and the footways negotiating the M8 junction can be fume-filled and tricky to navigate.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Country lanes, tracks and field paths through farmland and woodland and with a particularly fine wooded stretch through Dundonald. One straight field section can be very muddy and is best bypassed. The Colennan-to-Dundonald section is part of the official Smugglers Trail. Dundonald Woods is an SSSI. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The section between Newfield Mains and Rowanhill runs through the middle of a livestock field and is very muddy even in dry weather and impassable when wet; continue via East Lodge and Cherryknowe instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.