Best walks from Airdrie

Airdrie Station to Holytown Station

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.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bellshill Station to Airdrie Station

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

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Coatbridge Central Station to Airdrie Station

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

Airdrie Station to Caldercruix Station

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.

Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route