Best walks near Motherwell by train

Curriehill Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station (Midlothian)

1h direct from Motherwell.

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.

Easy: 12km, flat terrain.

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

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Stevenston Station to Kilwinning Station (Ayrshire)

45m from Motherwell, with one change.

Quiet roads and a section of path through a sports club and with a little main-road and housing-edge walking. Dubbs Road (part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path) is closed to motor traffic and pleasant to walk. Follows Dubbs Road, which is part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Buses run near the meeting point.

4km.

Crossing the busy B752 is straightforward as it is well positioned for pedestrians.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Gourock Station to Greenock Central Station (Renfrewshire)

1h from Motherwell, with one change.

all the coastal views were wonderful. A mostly gorgeous coastal walk along the off-road esplanade beside the Clyde Estuary, using an official cycle track from the station to avoid the first main-road section and railway steps. There are some stretches on the pavement of the main road and a more industrial section past the container terminal. Views across to Helensburgh.

6km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Irvine Station to Kilmarnock Station (Ayrshire)

1h from Motherwell, with one change.

Predominantly flat and on good surfaces, following riverside paths along the River Irvine and Annick Water and then a long straight former-railway cycle track and a few kilometres of farmland. Makes good use of underpasses; well signed as cycle route 73. Follows National Cycle Route 73 and is suitable for cycling. The riverside is tucked away through trees and grassland and is rich in nature.

14km.

Building work near the river at the Irvine end means some areas are cordoned off; the riverside route itself is unaffected. Giant hogweed grows beside the path in places and should be avoided as it has a nasty sting.

Lunch stop: the Brae.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Uddingston Station to Hamilton West Station (Lanarkshire)

5m direct from Motherwell.

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

East Kilbride Station to Uddingston Station (Lanarkshire)

5m direct from Motherwell.

some beautiful stretches. Some beautiful stretches through Greenhall Park and along the Clyde and with a path parallel to Stoneymeadow Road. A river crossing and the descent to the Clyde can be problematic.

11km. Moderate ascents.

The Rotten Calder crossing in Greenhall Park is only passable when the river is low (otherwise continue to the road via a slight scramble); the path down to the Clyde is unclear and can be very overgrown with nettles and brambles.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bellshill Station to Airdrie Station (Lanarkshire)

6m direct from Motherwell.

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 (Lanarkshire)

9m direct from Motherwell.

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

East Kilbride Station to Cambuslang Station (Lanarkshire)

9m direct from Motherwell.

A straightforward route running largely beside a busy dual carriageway and with a lovely stretch through Kirkhill golf course offering views over the city.

Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.

The dual carriageway has to be crossed a couple of times; use the controlled crossings.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Rutherglen Station to Cambuslang Station (Lanarkshire)

9m direct from Motherwell.

A short, very straightforward walk following the main road between the two town centres, slightly uphill into Cambuslang. Noisy and not especially scenic and with many side roads to cross. The Clyde Walkway offers a longer, quieter alternative.

Easy: 2km, moderate ascents.

Follows a busy main road with numerous side-road crossings.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hamilton West Station to Larkhall Station (Lanarkshire)

15m direct from Motherwell.

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

Carluke Station to Lanark Station (Lanarkshire)

15m direct from Motherwell.

A lovely rural path for the most part, with a small section of deep puddles and mud that persists even after a dry spell, two farm crossings (one requiring a gate climb) and a very steep section towards the end.

Tough: steep ascents. 9km.

A small section has deep puddles and mud even after a dry fortnight. The route crosses through two farms, with a gate to climb at the second. Very steep towards the end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route