Best walks from Kelvindale

Kelvindale Station to Glasgow Central Station

One of my favourite routes so far; an interesting and attractive route; incredible how lovely the route is; so many great scenes of natural and man-made beauty. A pleasant, mostly leafy and largely accessible walk along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Kelvin Walkway, following the river on good, shaded, mostly paved paths through parks and Glasgow's more attractive districts and with only one road crossing. A little steep in Kelvingrove Park with a few cobbles onto Elderslie Street. Follows the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Kelvin Walkway, passing through Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow Botanic Gardens (including the arboretum). Good for wildlife watching; dipper, grey wagtail and kingfisher have been seen. Note the navigation switchback at the Kelvin Aqueduct where the walkway meets the canal.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

Long stretches of the riverside route are unlit, so it can feel lonely, especially in the evenings. Botanic Gardens and some parks are gated and close around dusk, so it is not a 24-hour route.

Lunch stop: the Inn Deep.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kelvindale Station to Gilshochill Station

A fully accessible, step-free, off-road route along the good towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal, over the Kelvin aqueduct and past the Maryhill locks and with not-too-steep inclines and good paving. Two short road sections near the end. A short detour reaches the viewing platform in Stockingfield Park; Gilshochill station has stairs only.

Tough: steep ascents. 2km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bearsden Station to Kelvindale Station

delightful. Residential pavements give way to peaceful, sculpture-dotted woodland and leafy parkland and with a hill or two near Bearsden. So much green cover it is easy to forget you are in suburbia. Kelvindale connects well to other walks, especially via the canal; nearby Anniesland has fuller facilities and more frequent trains.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

The route crosses the busy A739 dual carriageway where there is no crossing at the mapped point (a pedestrian crossing lies about 50-100m south). The short final section along Dalsholm Road has no pavement and is busy. Some steps and steep hills.

Lunch: No refreshments along the way; plenty at Bearsden.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route