River Kelvin and canals circuit

Summary

This enjoyable urban circuit from Glasgow's West End begins along the Kelvin Walkway before climbing up to reach the Maryhill Locks on the Forth and Clyde Canal. The canal towpath is then used along the branch towards the city centre, before cutting back to the side through the streets of Kelvinside.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Pavements, streets, towpaths and cyclepaths. The route includes steps.

Getting there

Start

Kelvinbridge subway station.

Public Transport

The walk begins from the Kelvinbridge subway station on Glasgow's underground metro. This point can also be reached by bus on the Great Western Road. Note that there is nowhere to park a car here - nearest car park is off Park Road.

Start Grid Ref

NS574669

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 106m (Profile)

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Explorer 342 - Glasgow

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Leaving Kelvinbridge subway station by the lower exit (do not take the escalator to Great Western Road), turn right to cross the Kelvin on a broad low-level bridge. On the far side turn right, with the River Kelvin now on your right. Ignore the steps and instead under the ornate bridge carrying the Great Western Road.

Stage 2

Further on, the route passes under Belmont bridge. Beyond this a footbridge carries the Walkway across the Kelvin, keep left on the far side. Almost immediately it is possible to take a more scenic option (rather than staying on the main cyclepath) by turning left through the remains of North Woods Flint Mill to follow a path nearer the river. This soon rejoins the main cyclepath which passes under a fine red sandstone bridge and past the blue and cream iron humpback footbridge that leads to the Botanic Gardens. Don't cross the next bridge with the Ha'penny Bridge Toll House but continue along the walkway, keeping left to stay near the river passing under a road bridge, ignoring another footbridge to the left, and going through a short tunnel under the railway. The cyclepath then climbs uphill and keeps left to pass to the left of a number of tower blocks before crossing a road.

Stage 3

Immediately on the far side aim left across grass to reach a more scenic path by the river or continue ahead on the cycleway. Both routes rejoin before the high arches of the Kelvin aqueduct are seen ahead. The route forks before reaching the canal aqueduct - bear right uphill, signed for Maryhill Lochs and Kelvindale Station. Follow the cyclepath that zig-zags steeply uphill, eventually emerging on the Union and Clyde canal towpath. Turn right along this. A flight of five locks at Maryhill carry the canal steeply uphill with impressive oval basins in between where boats could wait for their turn in the next lock and pass other boats heading the opposite way.

Stage 4

The canal is overlooked by a series of new developments built as part of the recent regeneration of Maryhill as well as a pub and older housing. Continue along the towpath beyond the locks, crossing a bridge high over Maryhill Road.

Stage 5

Continue along the canal to reach Stockingfield Junction. Opened in 1777, the junction was with the Port Dundas branch from the main Forth and Clyde Canal. Orignally a floating bridge allowed horses to swap towpaths and continue pulling their barges. The canal here closed in 1963 and fell derelict. After restoration, a new footbridge was built which opened in 2022. Do not cross the bridge, instead keeping along the towpath to follow the branch of the canal towards Spiers Wharf and the city centre.

Stage 6

After 700m the towpath passes under Ruchill Bridge. Continue, passing a lovely old footbridge, for a further kilometre along the canal until the bridge carrying Firhill Road. Here fork right up a ramp to meet the road, then turn right along the pavement. The road leads past Firhill Stadium (on your left side), the home of Partick Thistle football club. Take the second right turn - opposite the main station entrance - to head along Springbank Street.

Stage 7

Follow this until it meets the busy Garscube and Maryhill Road. Cross both of these using the pedestrian crossings, then go left along the far side of Maryhill Road until you can turn right between modern flats on a path that becomes Bonawe Street. At the t-junction at the end, turn left along Kirkland Street. Go straight across at Dalmally Street, then take the next right onto Wilton Street. Pass around either side of Wilton Street gardens and continue ahead, taking the second left onto Belmont Street. This leads to a bridge which crosses high above the Kelvin Walkway. Continue ahead until Great Western Road, cross this and turn left on the far side. Just before reaching the river descend the steps on your right back down to the walkway used on the outward route. Kelvinbridge subway is just a short walk back.

Route Profile

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