Walks near Glasgow by train

Moderate climb to Dumyat, the landmark peak at the western Ochils, through mixed woodland and a rhododendron tunnel, with summit views to the Wallace Monument.

Dumyat: A prominent peak at the western end of the Ochil Hills offering outstanding panoramic views over Strathallan and the Forth valley.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: A moderate hill climb with steep, occasionally slippery paths and crag edges; take care on the descent.

Walk details: Strathallan Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

Rural Union Canal towpath: the Avon Aqueduct (Scotland's longest and tallest) and the 630m Falkirk Tunnel (Scotland's longest); good for wildflowers.

Warnings: Towpath can be muddy; suitable footwear advised.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Scenic coastal walk on the Fife Coastal Path beneath the iconic Forth Bridge, through charming towns including Aberdour with its harbour and sandy beach, on to Burntisland.

Warnings: Exposed to coastal weather; pack layers and waterproofs.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Easy, flat Kelvin Walkway and Forth & Clyde Canal towpath out of Glasgow, Kelvin Aqueduct to Bowling, through varied landscape and habitat.

Warnings: Towpath can be slippery after rain; good footwear advised.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

Recommended: The highlight of the route is the spectacular Avon Aqueduct. A simple, direct and easy-to-follow walk mostly along the Union Canal towpath, with an uphill section from Polmont at the start and a downhill section into Linlithgow. Good surfaces with no road sections and though the towpath is narrow in places and there are stepped sections in Linlithgow. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Linlithgow has plenty of history to explore.

Waterway: nine tenths along the Union Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h30

1 end-of-walk reward: the Granary

Warnings: The towpath is narrow in places. Stepped sections in Linlithgow may present problems for some, though alternatives exist.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Ayrshire Coastal Path with a 1.6-mile inland walk to the station.

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Time: 3h–5h30

Warnings: A quarter urban. Some climbing.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Lovely views as you'd expect; It was gorgeous; a gorgeous walk of three fairly different thirds; a wonderful route; Excellent view, a variety of scenery. A gorgeous coastal walk of three contrasting thirds: a winding climb out of Wemyss Bay onto a picturesque, slightly muddy and stony lane with a lovely tree tunnel, then a wooded shore footpath past beaches and finally a long pavement stretch beside the A78 with beautiful firth views. Several flights of steps at Inverkip. An excellent bus service runs down the Clyde coast between Glasgow and Largs, allowing the route to be split. Dolphins are occasionally seen offshore; Bute, Arran, Dunoon and Cowal are visible. Facilities at Inverkip and Lunderston Bay.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 4h–8h

Lunch: Several possible lunch stops in Inverkip, midway, plus toilets and facilities at Lunderston Bay.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk. The way up through Inverkip is extremely steep in places with several flights of stone steps (a switchback road bypasses them). The final third runs along a wide pavement beside the busy A78. The farm track has several gates to negotiate.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Wonderful views out across the Firth of Clyde to the islands and the Cowal Peninsula. Walks almost entirely on quiet tarmacked back lanes with verges and hedges full of wild flowers and well above the busy coast road. Easy going overall with a few quite steep uphill sections. Wemyss Bay has one of the most beautiful railway stations in the country.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: No facilities along the way (other than a bus stop north of Skelmorlie Bridge); cafe and toilets at Wemyss Bay and plenty at Largs.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks.

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.

Waterway: three quarters beside rivers and canals.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

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

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: A hill route using much of the Three Lochs Way, with a steep initial climb through woods, then uphill above the Gare Loch with nice views. The long central section follows a paved road through a valley near overhead lines and before a footpath crosses a heather-covered hill and descends on quiet wide streets into Helensburgh. Follows the Three Lochs Way. Nice views over the Gare Loch and the river Clyde in good weather.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: Only the post office in Garelochhead for early-morning supplies; little en route.

Warnings: Crosses a Ministry of Defence firing-range danger zone; only available when there is no firing (check the Scotland firing times before setting off). A fence near the top is trickier to cross than a usual stile.

Walk details: Slow Ways.