Walks you can reach from Pollokshaws by train

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.

Time: 3h30–7h30

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.

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.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Time: 2h–4h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. The dual carriageway has to be crossed a couple of times; use the controlled crossings.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h–9h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for three fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for three fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Country lanes, tracks and field paths through farmland and woodland and with a particularly fine wooded stretch through Dundonald. One straight field section can be very muddy and is best bypassed. The Colennan-to-Dundonald section is part of the official Smugglers Trail. Dundonald Woods is an SSSI.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: The section between Newfield Mains and Rowanhill runs through the middle of a livestock field and is very muddy even in dry weather and impassable when wet; continue via East Lodge and Cherryknowe instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Some lovely views. Some lovely views and pleasant sections and with a good amount of walking on quiet back roads. The path is overgrown in parts after leaving the houses in Busby and before Thorntonhall.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: Wayfinding is tricky where the path is overgrown leaving Busby and before Thorntonhall. Cattle may be in a field near Waterfoot Road.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Some lovely sections. Some lovely sections, opening on a flat disused railway path, then a stretch along Stoneymeadow Road (a path runs parallel and a bit muddy) before passing through a green park near Blantyre. Pavement is intermittent in places.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. The Whirlies Roundabout is busy with no pedestrian crossings; a section of Stoneymeadow Road has no pavement, forcing walkers onto the verge; a busy junction and Main Street crossing near Blantyre need care.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A connecting route that takes a busy B road out of Stewarton with insufficient verge to walk on throughout; the final section into Kilmarnock is safer on pavemented roads.

Time: 2h–4h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. A long section out of Stewarton runs along busy B roads where you must often walk on the carriageway and hop onto the verge as cars pass; vegetation, banking and drainage ditches make the verge unusable in places. Stay attentive, especially if visibility is poor. Unsuitable for those of limited mobility or wary of traffic.

Walk details: Slow Ways.