Best walks near Greenock by train

Highly recommended: 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.

1 lunch spot: the Brae

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Highly 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.

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.

Highly 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. Extensive woodland.

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

Warnings: 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.

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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be very muddy or boggy.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Mainly winding country roads bordered by woodland and farmland, with no pavement for almost the whole stretch, then a former railway line crossing a tall viaduct and a packed-soil riverbank path near Kilwinning. Wild-flower verges and several restored old buildings. The disused railway section is part of the Garnock Valley Cycle Route. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: There is no pavement for virtually the whole road section, so take care on the winding country lanes. The riverbank path near Kilwinning is poor underfoot; an easy estate-road alternative exists. Cross Lauchlan Way carefully as there is no pedestrian crossing.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walk details: Slow Ways.