Locherwood and Ladymuir Woodland

[Robertgee]

The day was to be very cloudy, but dry, so I decided to do the Locherwood and Ladymuir walk rather than venturing out onto the higher hills. This was a route I’d never done before, in an area where I seldom go walking, so it’s always nice to explore new places. It was a very enjoyable route, in which it felt like being in a very remote part of the country, despite not being far from Paisley and Glasgow. If you enjoy woodland and forest walks, this is one you’ll love. There’s a few points where there’s good views of the surrounding hills and countryside, also picnic tables and a wooden shelter which could be useful if the weather turns bad.

Locherwood

The route starts from the small car park and enters the community woodland of Locherwood. This looks to be the more popular and busier part of the walk, whereas Ladymuir has far less people venturing into its heart. During my walk, I only ever saw other walkers at the car park, so had the whole place to myself. Paths around Lockerwood were very good, then the walk enters Ladymuir, where the paths were a bit more muddy, but nothing all that bad. There were a couple of places as mentioned in the walks description, which did cause a little problem to get by with dry feet. These were crossing what I believe is called a floating bog. As if the area was a pool of water with a layer of peat and vegetation floating on top. When crossing this a large area would sink and spring back up again behind you as you walked, like walking on a big sponge. So boots are definitely recommended for this walk, use shoes or trainers, and you’ll end up with black peaty mud right up your ankles. Other than these two places, all other bad boggy bits were usually avoided by keeping close to the trees.

Strathgryfe

Bridge over Locher Water

Locherwood

Picnic place

Ladymuir

Bridge leading into Ladymuir

This is the path which the walk returns on

Another good spot for a break

Route continues up the valley

Source of the Locher Water

Shelter

While on the walk, it’s a good idea to head straight across the forest track at the far end of the walk, as mentioned in the walks description. Go to the forest edge, cross the style, and walk up the slope on the right, where you’ll get good views over the Clyde Muirshiel Park, towards Windy Hill and the hills beyond. After that return to the forest track and turn right to start your return journey. Along which you get some more good views toward Misty Hill and over to Johnstone and Paisley.

View to Windy Hill and Queenside Hill

Return route starts along this forest track

Ladymuir Woodland

View to Misty Law

Kaim Dam

View towards Johnstone and Paisley

I couldn’t find the second of the wooden shelters/bird watching hides, as mentioned in the walks description. Looks like it’s been removed, or buried under a load of wind fallen trees at that part of the route.

Somewhere near this spot is where the second shelter is. Unfortunately I couldn't find it...maybe it's been removed?

Forest ride on the way back

Looking back over the second of the tricky to cross "floating bogs". Doesn't look too bad from here, but it definitely is!

Crossing back over the Locher Water

Locher Water

Back in Locherwood