Walks you can reach from Helensburgh Upper by train

Recommended: Good path throughout.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

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.

Marvellous views along Strathfillan; the first real sense of the highlands ahead. A West Highland Way section, mostly on fire roads and good gravel trails so easy going, through mossy forestry land with some elevation gain early on, frequent views back towards Crianlarich and then almost flat to Tyndrum past wildflower meadows and along the river. Muddy in places with considerable erosion on steeper sections; recently fallen trees near Crianlarich. Follows the West Highland Way past the Glenbruar Viaduct and Strath Fillan. Information boards cover the area's wildlife and history, from missionaries to gold-mining. Facilities are limited out of season except in Tyndrum; great wild-camping spots beyond Tyndrum. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: A seasonal cafe at Strath Fillan; otherwise limited until Tyndrum, which has the Real Food Cafe, the Tyndrum Inn, the Ben Lui Restaurant and the Green Welly Stop with a shop.

1 end-of-walk reward: Real Food Cafe

Warnings: Crossing the A82, a fast and fairly busy road, at a well-marked good-visibility point with prominent road signs. Erosion on steeper sections.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: ScotRail.