Best walks near Stirling by train

Polmont Station to Linlithgow Station (Stirlingshire)

15m direct from Stirling.

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.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

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

End-of-walk reward: the Granary.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Curriehill Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station (Midlothian)

45m direct from Stirling.

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

Dumbarton Central Station to Kilpatrick Station (Dunbartonshire)

1h from Stirling, with one change.

excellent views of Bowling Harbour and the Clyde. A very straightforward, level walk following a national cycle route, almost entirely on good surfaces alongside the canal and River Clyde. It includes a beautifully landscaped elevated walk/cycleway over Bowling, tree-shaded cuttings and a section running alongside the railway and ending through suburban streets and a park. Follows a national cycle route, largely free of steps. There is a replica Roman distance stone marking one end of the Antonine Wall near Old Kilpatrick.

8km.

Lunch: Shops and a cafe under the old railway arches at Bowling, plus services accessible from the cycle track about halfway along.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunblane Station to Bridge of Allan Station (Perthshire)

4m direct from Stirling.

An accessible, attractive walk entirely on roads with a good surface, the central third closed to traffic, through woods on the old Glen Road. A mix of quiet roads and a traffic-free closed road/cycle path and with a footpath that narrows along Glen Road and a bit more of a hill than the alternative route. The traffic-free central section is part of the National Cycle Network spur connecting Bridge of Allan with Doune.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Falkirk Grahamston Station to Polmont Station (Stirlingshire)

15m direct from Stirling.

A good route through pedestrianised streets and the delightful old woodlands of Callendar Wood on well-made paths, then a twisty maze of little paths with steps through the Hallglen Estate, before a calm, tarmac towpath along the Union Canal. It finishes on the busy, noisy Station Road into Polmont; some steps and with likely step-free alternatives in Hallglen. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Callendar Wood is an attractive area of old woodland.

7km.

Several flights of stone steps through the Hallglen Estate. At the Redding Industrial Estate the towpath briefly becomes a road open to cars. The turning off the towpath into Polmont is easy to miss. Station Road into Polmont is busy and noisy.

Lunch: Lots of cafes and shops in Falkirk; a small shopping centre with a supermarket in Polmont.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Gilshochill Station to Bishopbriggs Station (Lanarkshire)

30m direct from Stirling.

A short, simple route through housing estates on the northern edge of Glasgow and with a short muddy section after wet weather and small patches of woodland. An easy alternative avoids the muddy section via Duncryne Place and Brackenbrae Road.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shettleston Station to Stepps Station (Lanarkshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

A simple, direct and mostly enjoyable route through built-up areas and with several parks and green spaces worked in. Molendinar Woods, Cardowan Moss and Frankfield Loch offer an alternative away from the busy Cumbernauld Road.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Milngavie Station to Gilshochill Station (Stirlingshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

A pleasant start out of Milngavie through countryside around the Rangers Training Centre and crossing some large main roads.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

Crosses some large main roads; take care.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Glasgow Central Station to Shettleston Station (Lanarkshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

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.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

The wooded entrance to Greenfield Recreation Ground may feel daunting for solo walkers at quiet times. Some steps, including at Shettleston station.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kelvindale Station to Gilshochill Station (Dunbartonshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

A fully accessible, step-free, off-road route along the good towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal, over the Kelvin aqueduct and past the Maryhill locks and with not-too-steep inclines and good paving. Two short road sections near the end. A short detour reaches the viewing platform in Stockingfield Park; Gilshochill station has stairs only.

Tough: steep ascents. 2km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kelvindale Station to Glasgow Central Station (Dunbartonshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

One of my favourite routes so far; an interesting and attractive route; incredible how lovely the route is; so many great scenes of natural and man-made beauty. A pleasant, mostly leafy and largely accessible walk along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Kelvin Walkway, following the river on good, shaded, mostly paved paths through parks and Glasgow's more attractive districts and with only one road crossing. A little steep in Kelvingrove Park with a few cobbles onto Elderslie Street. Follows the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Kelvin Walkway, passing through Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow Botanic Gardens (including the arboretum). Good for wildlife watching; dipper, grey wagtail and kingfisher have been seen. Note the navigation switchback at the Kelvin Aqueduct where the walkway meets the canal.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

Long stretches of the riverside route are unlit, so it can feel lonely, especially in the evenings. Botanic Gardens and some parks are gated and close around dusk, so it is not a 24-hour route.

Lunch stop: the Inn Deep.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bearsden Station to Kelvindale Station (Dunbartonshire)

45m from Stirling, with one change.

delightful. Residential pavements give way to peaceful, sculpture-dotted woodland and leafy parkland and with a hill or two near Bearsden. So much green cover it is easy to forget you are in suburbia. Kelvindale connects well to other walks, especially via the canal; nearby Anniesland has fuller facilities and more frequent trains.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

The route crosses the busy A739 dual carriageway where there is no crossing at the mapped point (a pedestrian crossing lies about 50-100m south). The short final section along Dalsholm Road has no pavement and is busy. Some steps and steep hills.

Lunch: No refreshments along the way; plenty at Bearsden.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route