Walks you can reach from Airbles by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Motherwell Station to Larkhall Station (Lanarkshire)
3m direct from Airbles.
13km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hamilton West Station to Larkhall Station (Lanarkshire)
8m direct from Airbles.
Wide pavements through Hamilton give way to a well-surfaced wooded cycle track, then long, undulating riverside paths along the Clyde and River Avon through wooded gorge and countryside. Moderately demanding with frequent changes of gradient, some steep steps and muddy sections. Passes through Chatelherault Country Park; a road alternative reaches Chatelherault House (with cafe and excellent views) avoiding woodland steps. The narrow Millheugh Steps can be bypassed via Sunnyside.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km.
After crossing the busy Bothwell Road, the riverside gorge path undulates with some steep steps. The route wrongly suggests access to the Duke's Bridge from the path below; leave the riverside about 1km earlier (signposted). A muddy path leads into Larkhall near the finish.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hamilton West Station to Bellshill Station (Lanarkshire)
8m direct from Airbles.
Mostly tarmac paths out of Hamilton through parkland and around the edge of Strathclyde Loch, with a short muddy wooded section and a stretch of road without pavement and then suburban pavements into Bellshill.
Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.
A short stretch of Bothwellhaugh Road has no pavement (quiet, with a soft verge); a short wooded section can be muddy.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Rutherglen Station to East Kilbride Station (Lanarkshire)
30m direct from Airbles.
Tough: steep ascents. 9km.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
East Kilbride Station to Hamilton West Station (Lanarkshire)
8m direct from Airbles.
some lovely sections. Some lovely sections, opening on a flat disused railway path, then a stretch along Stoneymeadow Road (a path runs parallel and a bit muddy) before passing through a green park near Blantyre. Pavement is intermittent in places.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.
The Whirlies Roundabout is busy with no pedestrian crossings; a section of Stoneymeadow Road has no pavement, forcing walkers onto the verge; a busy junction and Main Street crossing near Blantyre need care.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Uddingston Station to Hamilton West Station (Lanarkshire)
8m direct from Airbles.
Tarmac and compacted-earth riverside footpaths (sometimes narrow) with good views over the river and plus longer stretches of pavement through Bothwell and a retail park. A varied route with an uphill finish. Follows the Clyde Walkway / National Cycle Route 75 along the riverside. Bothwell Castle was undergoing extensive restoration and closed to visitors (Sept 2022).
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
The riverside sections can feel isolated and may become muddy after rain.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Busby Station to Rutherglen Station (Lanarkshire)
30m direct from Airbles.
striking views of the city, Campsie Hills and higher peaks beyond; excellent views to the south west with the peaks of Arran visible in the distance. A varied walk on mostly quiet roads, pavements and footpaths and climbing through farmland to the open paths and viewpoints of Cathkin Braes before descending through woodland (muddy in places) and parks into Rutherglen.
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
The wooded descent from the country park to Tormusk Road can feel remote when walking alone; the final stretch crosses the busy Stonelaw Road. Can be muddy.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Giffnock Station to Rutherglen Station (Renfrewshire)
30m direct from Airbles.
A mostly urban walk along fairly quiet residential streets, linking green spaces via core paths. The sections through Linn Park and King's Park are lovely with bird life and swathes of daffodils in spring. One long and straight final section is the least attractive part.
Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Motherwell Station to Wishaw Station (Lanarkshire)
3m direct from Airbles.
Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Motherwell Station to Holytown Station (Lanarkshire)
3m direct from Airbles.
Short route through New Stevenston and Riccard Johnston Park, then a wooded track around the golf course (stony underfoot, sturdy shoes advised) down to South Calder Water and before joining the well-surfaced Motherwell Green Link into town. Quiet and remote in the middle. The final stretch follows the Motherwell Green Link footpath into the town centre.
Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.
The wooded track around Colville Park Golf Course is remote, unlit and rough underfoot in places (some very rough hardcore); it may not suit all travellers walking alone.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Coatbridge Central Station to Airdrie Station (Lanarkshire)
15m direct from Airbles.
Mostly on a shared cycle and walking path; good underfoot and not too hilly and though quite isolated from housing.
Tough: steep ascents. 4km.
Largely away from population, so less suitable for walking alone.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Rutherglen Station to Shettleston Station (Lanarkshire)
30m direct from Airbles.
Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.