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.

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.

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.

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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.