walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

The Avon Gorge, Hamilton.

The Avon Gorge, Hamilton.


Postby Tomsie » Mon Dec 07, 2015 1:27 pm

Route description: Chatelherault Country Park, near Hamilton

Date walked: 06/12/2015

Distance: 8 km

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Sunday wasn't looking to bad for a day on the hills, but with the amount of rain and floods about, plus Gill getting detoured around Scotland trying to return from Skye the previous day, we decided to stay local and head to Hamilton for a walk around the Avon Gorge.

As we drove into the car park we were being diverted around because of flooding here as well. We parked up and walked around the back of house to where the visitor centre is and from here, you can start numerous walks around the grounds. The Gorge walk is around 8kls, as we started one of the signs we came across was about a landslide, so access to the white bridge is closed.

IMG_0261.JPG
Warning sign


We walked over the the dukes bridge and stopped to watch the River Avon below, very powerful and way above its banks, turning the water white as it flowed through the tree's. We walked towards the old ruined castle, although some of the brick work looked newish. The day was clear with some clouds in the sky but not to cold, underfoot was wet, boggy in places, but the track was good.

IMG_0224.JPG
Boggy section


We passed by the Cadzow Oaks, these trees are over 500 years old, some of them hollow inside.
http://cadzowhistory.org/oaks.html

IMG_0226.JPG
Oaks, but no sign of the cows.


There was no sign of the Cadzow White cows, but plenty of birds and plantlife, and some unusual looking mushrooms.
IMG_0228.JPG
Spikey Shrooms


You can hear the river below but its out of sight through the steep woods leading down to it. Soon we were after dropping down to the green bridge, the river still raging, just after here we had to double back and make our way through the woods, with Gill leading the way, as the track ahead was flooded. We were soon back on the track again and were gaining height to top of the gorge, from here its about 3.5kls back to the car and it started getting busy with folk out walking there dogs.
A great walk to pass away a few hours of a Sunday morning. Some photo's below.

IMG_0232.JPG

IMG_0235.JPG

IMG_0238.JPG

IMG_0251.JPG

IMG_0254.JPG

IMG_0255.JPG

IMG_0257.JPG

IMG_0258.JPG

IMG_0259.JPG

IMG_0266.JPG
User avatar
Tomsie
Walker
 
Posts: 1165
Munros:166   Corbetts:71
Fionas:38   Donalds:36
Sub 2000:21   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:1   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 8, 2011

Re: The Avon Gorge, Hamilton.

Postby Graeme D » Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:54 pm

My mother-in-law's neck of the woods. A bit different for you guys though! :shock:
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: The Avon Gorge, Hamilton.

Postby Tomsie » Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:54 am

Bit different than the hills Graeme, but nice and quite early on. Recommend it next time your down that way.
User avatar
Tomsie
Walker
 
Posts: 1165
Munros:166   Corbetts:71
Fionas:38   Donalds:36
Sub 2000:21   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:1   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 8, 2011

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Happysinger, Pritch115 and 84 guests