Walks you can reach from Cardross by train

Highly recommended: A hill route using much of the Three Lochs Way, with a steep initial climb through woods, then uphill above the Gare Loch with nice views. The long central section follows a paved road through a valley near overhead lines and before a footpath crosses a heather-covered hill and descends on quiet wide streets into Helensburgh. Follows the Three Lochs Way. Nice views over the Gare Loch and the river Clyde in good weather. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: Only the post office in Garelochhead for early-morning supplies; little en route.

Warnings: Crosses a Ministry of Defence firing-range danger zone; only available when there is no firing (check the Scotland firing times before setting off). A fence near the top is trickier to cross than a usual stile.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

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.

Northern section is very enjoyable with amazing views over Loch Long; excellent views. A route forming roughly half of the Three Lochs Way, with a very enjoyable northern section of amazing views over Loch Long, a less enjoyable middle third on a tarmac road through an MOD training area and a final descent on quiet single-track road and new footpath through woodland into Helensburgh. The ground can be sodden in the second section from Tarbet. Comprises about half of the Three Lochs Way, running between Inveruglas and Balloch. Passes the famous Mackintosh-designed Hill House. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The Tarbet end is currently closed for overhead-line works with a signed diversion (likely until 2026). About a third of the way involves fording a small stream beneath a railway where a bridge has been removed. The ground from Tarbet can be sodden, so walk in drier weather.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An urban route mixing busier roads (the B765) with the off-road Clyde Walkway into Uddingston and avoiding a rural 60mph road with no verges. Follows the Clyde Walkway. Detours possible into Cambuslang or Newton to break the journey. Sustrans plan to reopen the Carmyle–Westburn viaduct as a walking and cycling route.

Lunch: The only facilities on the route are a small shop and a pair of pubs in Carmyle, about a third of the way along.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A direct, mostly off-road route on paths and grass through parkland, with some single-track paths and stairs. A short and sometimes overgrown section near a petrol station at Mount Vernon.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Residential streets and a well-surfaced cycle track give way to rough, potentially muddy unsurfaced paths, then the attractive North Calder Heritage Trail beside an abandoned canal, before busy roads into Holytown. Urban at both ends and attractive in the middle. Follows the North Calder Heritage Trail for about 2km, with the abandoned canal on one side and the North Calder river on the other. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: A middle section over rough ground via unsurfaced, potentially muddy and isolated paths needs care (boots advised; cyclists may struggle). The section along the B802 and Bo'ness Road through roundabouts into Holytown is very busy and noisy (though with a good wide pavement). The mapped route was closed by a temporary barrier at Holytown, requiring a short diversion via Melrose Avenue.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Follows a shared railway path between Caldercruix and Plains and then climbs behind houses and through a park before pavement walking on the main Airdrie road and quieter parallel residential streets.

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 combination of paths and roads and off-road tracks with few climbs.

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.

A simple, direct and mostly enjoyable route through built-up areas and with several parks and green spaces worked in. Molendinar Woods, Cardowan Moss and Frankfield Loch offer an alternative away from the busy Cumbernauld Road.

Walk details: Slow Ways.