Walks you can reach from Balloch by train

Recommended: excellent views of Bowling Harbour and the Clyde. A very straightforward, level walk following a national cycle route, almost entirely on good surfaces alongside the canal and River Clyde. It includes a beautifully landscaped elevated walk/cycleway over Bowling, tree-shaded cuttings and a section running alongside the railway and ending through suburban streets and a park. Follows a national cycle route, largely free of steps. There is a replica Roman distance stone marking one end of the Antonine Wall near Old Kilpatrick.

Lunch: Shops and a cafe under the old railway arches at Bowling, plus services accessible from the cycle track about halfway along.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

fabulous views and moorland birds. A moorland and forest route following the Three Lochs Way, with a tarmac riverside multi-use path at the Alexandria end, then a quiet lane climbing uphill, rubbly path with tree roots, a steep zigzag climb into forest and a cinder/gravel path over boggy high ground. The descent down Red Glen is fairly steep with occasionally skiddy gravel and a tricky stream crossing. Follows the Three Lochs Way; the John Muir Way splits off near the high point. Views over Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and the Firth of Clyde. Last refreshments at Balloch before the climb.

Lunch: Busy Balloch is the last opportunity for refreshments before the climb.

Warnings: A section roughly 7-8km from the Alexandria end was rendered impassable by storm tree-fall. Steep, skiddy gravel descent down Red Glen and a tricky stepping-stone stream crossing. The final stretch is a mile or more along the busy A814.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The shortest and flattest route between the towns, but a really unpleasant walk for much of its length along a busy 60mph A road on a narrow footpath and encroached by brambles and littered with debris. Proper pavements and a cycle path only at the town ends.

Warnings: The section between the towns runs alongside a busy 60mph A road on a narrow footpath, encroached by greenery and brambles and strewn with debris; the speed of large passing vehicles can be dangerous. Longer alternatives via Balloch/Alexandria are more traffic-free but involve much more ascent.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

amazing scenery. A flat, fully paved/tarmac cycle and foot path following the River Leven almost the whole way, with only gentle inclines. Open fields, woodland and wetland alongside the river make for easy and scenic walking. Follows the NCN7 cycle path; shared use with cyclists and runners. Links on to Old Kilpatrick / Bowling Harbour and, from Balloch, to Loch Lomond National Park. Wetland alongside the river is rich in birdlife and wildlife. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The route crosses a cow field north of the A82 (the cattle generally keep well away from the path); a kissing gate or mini cattle grid is at the field exit. Signs of occasional tidal or heavy-rain flooding near the main road and railway bridges. A slightly tricky road crossing and some steps at the Alexandria end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A beautiful and easy to follow route along the canal; Pleasant with lots of interest; a lovely route, the majority of which is off-road. A beautiful, easy and very flat canal walk, almost entirely off-road and tarmacked along the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath, with slight inclines at points. A rural feel despite the industrial outskirts and with the towering Erskine Bridge coming into view. Suitable for cyclists and wheelchairs. Follows the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath. Of interest are the world's first 'drop lock' at Dalmuir, the towering Erskine Bridge, and the animated clock in Clydebank Shopping Centre. Moorhens and herons can be seen on the canal.

Lunch: Shopping centre with places to eat at the Clydebank end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

the views however are excellent. A largely road-based route, fairly dull in places, leaving Bishopton on pavemented roads and a short estate path, then about a kilometre on pavement-less Drumcross Road before good pavement leads up onto the Erskine Bridge. The bridge crossing is safe behind barriers, with a few short diversions onto the cycle lane and a fairly simple but one steep downhill section into Old Kilpatrick. Crosses the Erskine Bridge. A garden centre at the south end of the bridge has toilets and a cafe.

Lunch: Garden centre with toilets and a cafe at the south end of the Erskine Bridge.

Warnings: Drumcross Road (after the M8) has no pavement or verge for about a kilometre, with bends requiring crossing sides; care needed with constant traffic. One steep downhill section into Old Kilpatrick.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Easy, flat Kelvin Walkway and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath out of Glasgow, Kelvin Aqueduct to Bowling, through varied landscape and habitat.

Warnings: Towpath can be slippery after rain; good footwear advised.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).