Lang Craigs Circuit, Dumbarton

Summary

This circular route climbs from the streets of Dumbarton through the grounds of Overtoun House to climb up to a view point on Lang Craigs overlooking the Firth of Clyde before descending on a forestry track to pick up the cycle path running adjacent to the A82 and then back through the streets of Dumbarton.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Road with pavement, moorland path, forestry track - boggy in places, shared cycle path.

Public Transport

Buses and trains serve Dumbarton.

Start

Crosslet Road/Bonhill Road junction, Dumbarton. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 319m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS401756

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Start from the junction of Crosslet Road and Bonhill Road (B830) just north east of the Meadow Leisure Centre and Dumbarton Central Rail Station - there is on street parking in this area. Head north (away from the leisure centre) along Bonhill Road until you turn right to follow Round Riding Rd (signed The Crags Circular Path) until you reach the A82. Cross at the lights just to the right and continue right passing an office building and turning left through a stone gateway to pass a lodge house and the police HQ.

Stage 2

Continue ahead onto a path which climbs between houses and crossing a road to take the path into the grounds of Overtoun House. Stay on the main surfaced path ignoring the signed path on the right for Overtoun House and another smaller path which heads down into the woods - our route continues ahead climbing gently with views to Garshake farm on the left. Ignore the path to Garshake on the left and continue on the main path which soon crosses an ornate stone bridge to reach Overtoun House. This Scots baronial pile was built by wealthy industrialist James White in 1864. After being bequeathed to the local Council in 1939 it was used first as a military hospital and later as a maternity unit before the current tenants took over in 2002 with a plan to restore the building and create a Christian healing centre. A tea room currently operates on Fridays and Saturdays (and Thurs in the summer), worth a visit to see the ornate plaster ceilings and the challenge of restoring the structure.

Stage 3

Pass in front of the house and take the signed (Crags Circular) track on the left, soon going through a gate and keeping straight ahead onto open ground. The Woodland Trust are establishing a native woodland here and the grassy path weaves up through the planted areas with good views back over the Firth of Clyde and also to Lang Craigs on the right. Keep left when another grassy track joins from the right and continue with the Overtoun Burn on your left.

Stage 4

As the path climbs it soon reaches a gate into an area of forestry, now felled. Beyond this the path climbs and passes through another gate before turning right - it can be boggy underfoot here. Continue straight ahead and about half way up this section turn left (worn path on ground) for a short distance until you reach a forestry track, turn right along this. This is often very boggy but soon leads up to the top of Lang Craigs where there are good views over Dumbarton and the Firth of Clyde. After enjoying the view return down the forestry track and turn right onto another track at Black Linn reservoir.

Stage 5

At a track junction turn right and later left (both signed for Crags Circular) and pass another small reservoir before descending through a farm gate with views to the Firth of Clyde ahead. Follow the farm track until a signed pedestrian gate on the right takes you onto a fenced path (sometimes muddy) which follows field boundaries to eventually turn right down a quarry road. This soon leads to a surfaced road, turn left downhill and just past Milton House (and 30 speed signs) turn right along a track, soon branching left onto a path. Keep left when it reaches a street to descend to the A82 next to the Milton Inn.

Stage 6

The A82 has to be crossed here to pick up the cycle path on the far side - there are traffic lights to the left where you can cross. Take the short surfaced path down to the cycle route and turn right along it to head back towards Dumbarton following Route 7 signs all the way and passing behind huge whisky maturing sheds on the way. At a residential street at the edge of Dumbarton turn left and then left again between houses to stay on the cycle route which goes through an underpass and through a park and then turning left at a road to return to the centre of Dumbarton.

Route Profile

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