Falls of Clyde and New Lanark

A fantastic short walk along the Clyde from the World Heritage Site of New Lanark, passing waterfalls and a peregrine falcon watching area before the inland return route takes you through fields and woodland. The walk can be extended by following a waymarked additional route on the far side of the river.

Terrain

Clear path with many steps and lots of short up and down sections. Care should be taken with children on boardwalk section next to river or above cliffs. Suggested return route is muddy but you could return via the outward route.

Public Transport

Bus to New Lanark. Traveline Scotland.

Start

New Lanark. Map and directions.

Users' reports

As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.
There are 8 user reports for this walk - click to read them.

Write your own report - there's £90 to win at Webtogs each month

Currently 3.85/5

User Rating
Log in to vote

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 230m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS882425

Maps / GPS

WANT TO SPONSOR THIS ROUTE?

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk starts from the World Heritage Site of New Lanark. The collection of mill buildings and workers housing were built from 1786 and harnessed the power of the River Clyde to spin and weave cotton at the height of the industrial revolution. Robert Owen was manager from 1800 to 1835 and he transformed the lives of the mill workers with revolutionary ideas and opportunities. Corporal punishment and child labour were abolished and decent housing, free health care, education and affordable food were provided for the workers. The complex now houses an extensive museum as well as a hotel, self catering, and private housing. Parking in New Lanark itself is restricted, so if driving, park as directed in the car park above New Lanark and take the steep walkway down to the buildings.

Stage 2

When the walkway comes out on the road turn left heading for the red phone box. Robert Owen's house can be seen on the right hand side of the road just before the phone box. Robert Owen eventually bought out his business partners, who were unhappy about the extent of his philanthropic spending at New Lanark, despite the fact that the business was still able to trade very profitably. Turn right through the gateway and down past the visitor centre on the left, following the signs for the Falls of Clyde. At the next road turn left and follow this past the remains of mill number 4. Follow the road as it curves right and heads downhill. Stay left to pass the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor centre and then turn left up through an archway to eventually turn right onto the Clyde Walkway.

Stage 3

After passing above the last building where there are good views back over the whole New Lanark complex, follow the path through the trees alongside the tumbling River Clyde. This route is part of the 65km long distance route from Glasgow. Soon steps lead down to a viewpoint for the first falls, a section of rapids rather than an actual waterfall. Continue along the main path and keep right when the path forks (the left hand path is the return route). This soon leads down to a section of boardwalk almost level with the water. Take the higher path and follow signs for Falls of Clyde if the boardwalk is flooded. The area has been a conservation success story, with otters and kingfisher's often spotted and peregrine falcon's returning to nest here in 1997 after a long absence.

Stage 4

At the junction with the higher path turn right and after passing a house bear right to pass the hydro electric power station and continue to the viewpoint for the Corra Linn. This 27 metre waterfall was immortalised in poetry by Wordsworth as, 'the Clyde's most majestic daughter'. From the viewing platform return to the main path and continue up the steps and take the first right turn signed for Bonnington Linn and follow it around the top of the cliff.

Stage 5

When the path forks take the right hand path downhill to a view over the upper falls. Soon the Peregrine hide is reached. During the breeding season, it is possible to view the nest from the hide and spot the birds through binoculars, as well as on CCTV from back at the visitor centre. Continue along the path to reach a view of Bonnington Linn, a horseshoe of waterfalls. When the path forks, keep right to pass the remains of an old iron bridge soon reaching the new bridge where water is funnelled off for the power station. It is possible to cross the bridge and continue back down the far side of the Clyde to extend the walk. However there is no bridge near New Lanark so it is necessary to return to this spot afterwards.

Stage 6

Return the same way until beyond the peregrine hide, then turn right at a junction marked with a blue marker posts, and keep left when the path forks. This heads up to a viewpoint with a seat. From here you can either head left down to rejoin the outward route, or if you don't mind getting muddy boots, turn right just before the watertank to head around it and then turn right through a gate into a field. Follow the fence to a track where you turn left. After a small pond on the right, turn right through a gate onto a marked path and follow this through the trees, ignoring the remains of the old path on the right, to reach a track where you go straight ahead. Take the next path on the left which soon returns to the Clyde Walkway - turn right to return to New Lanark on the outward route.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Please let us know by clicking here.