Walks you can reach from Cleland by train

Recommended: A very green, quiet and largely traffic-free route, gently downhill towards Edinburgh for most of the way, with a good surface throughout. It follows the Water of Leith Walkway and then the Union Canal towpath and ending through the city's parks and streets. A few steepish slopes but no stairs; the river path can be muddy in places. Follows National Cycle Route 75 for most of its length and is part of the John Muir Way; the Colinton Tunnel is a highlight. Princes Street Gardens open at 7am and close at dusk.

Lunch: Cafes near the route at Juniper Green, though most open around 10am.

Warnings: The Slateford Aqueduct has only a narrow, cobbled towpath with a drop, so take care and be patient when passing others.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Urban walk with some climbing, through parkland with views over the city, and along Portobello promenade.

Warnings: Some climbing.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Route into Edinburgh along the shoreline and old railway path, with some modest climbing.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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). Extensive woodland.

Warnings: The riverside sections can feel isolated and may become muddy after rain.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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 fairly direct urban route on pavements that climbs out of Bishopbriggs to Springburn Park, then drops through Springburn and follows the main road into central Glasgow and weaving cleverly through underpasses and flyovers around the M8 junction. Includes a number of steps. Connects Glasgow's two main railway stations and the bus station, passing George Square; Springburn station is also on the route.

Lunch: Shops and facilities at Springburn around the halfway point.

Warnings: A short stretch runs along the busy A803, and the footways negotiating the M8 junction can be fume-filled and tricky to navigate.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mix of quiet roads and good field paths past Kaimes Hill and finishing along the Water of Leith. Paths can be indistinct in places.

Warnings: The Glenbrook road has no pavement and tight bends, and a short section on the A70 (Lang Whang) has fast traffic on a long straight; take care. The path is indistinct near Kaimes Wood.

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.