Baron's Haugh is a stunning wetland nature reserve managed by the RPSB. This circular walk loops through both the reserve and the Dalzell Estate, on the edge of Motherwell.
Bog Factor
Clear paths throughout; one section is prone to be wet.
RSPB Baron’s Haugh car park at NS755552.
Bus to North Lodge, Adele Street or train to Airbles station, under 1km away.
NS755552
Start from the RSPB Baron's Haugh car park which is on the right as you drive into the park. Start the walk on the path from the far end of the car park, staying on the surfaced path which veers left. It leads through grassy parkland with extensive views towards Hamilton. When it forks, keep right.
Further on the path meets another; keep right here. The path climbs slightly into the trees, then reaches a t-junction - again, turn right. Ignore a path off right, but take the next surfaced path that forks off left downhill through the trees. This zig-zags down to eventually reach the River Clyde.
Now turn left along the Clyde Walkway - part of a long distance route stretching from Partick to Lanark and beyond. Ignore a minor path off left, but when the surfaced path forks, take the left branch that gently climbs from the river. Ignore another path cutting up from the right. You can now see one of the extensive lochs of the reserve on your right. At the next junction take a detour along the path to the right to visit the Causeway Bird Hide.
Return to the junction and turn right to continue along the main path. Ignore a path off left, continuing instead into the trees. The next path on the right is another detour - this time to the Marsh hide overlooking the wetlands.
Head back to the main path and again head right along it. Ignore a track off right, instead continuing until you reach a gate and a lane - turn right along the lane. This is soon enclosed by stone walls and passes several buildings. Ignore a path off left through an archway; the next arch on the left gives access to an old graveyard, with a Mausoleum that houses the graves of the Hamilton family.
After passing the cemetery the path turns left, then crosses a stone bridge over a burn. On the far side turn right - this section is known as the Chestnut Walk. It leads back to the River Clyde, just beyond a section of path that has been destroyed by river erosion. Turn sharp left here, away from the river, through a pedestrian gate. A narrow path now leads around the left edge of a flat marshy area, keeping safely away fromt the ever-meandering Clyde. Ignore paths that lead uphill; the path eventually curves back and returns to the riverbank. It is often wet where it clibms back up to the bank.
Eventually the surfaced path curves left away from the river; the Clyde Walkway continues upstream, but our circular route follows the main path - still waymarked - through the gate and uphill into the woods, keeping left at each of three junctions. At yet another junction, bear right on a waymarked path that descends, then follows a railing to a bridge over the burn. Follow the main path uphill beyond until it meets a main driveway, where you turn left. To the right here you can see the spectacular Dalzell House, originally a 15th centure tower house but greatly expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries - it is now private apartments so do not enter the immediate grounds.
Keep along the lane, noting the Japanese Garden on the right. Immediately after crossing a bridge turn right (along the far edge of the Japanese Garden), then take the next left turn in the woods. Keep right at a fork, soon emerging at a tarmac road - go straight across here to return to the car park.
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