The Magnificent 11, Glasgow Southside

Summary

This very varied circular route explores and links up the green spaces on the southern fringes of Glasgow; it includes the best views over the city from the Cathkin Braes. The route was devised and waymarked by Glasgow Ramblers and Glasgow Countryside Rangers.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Pavements, formal paths in parks and woodland, and rougher informal paths. The route is waymarked (yellow/black arrows) but some posts are hard to spot, using the WH app will help; can be very muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Netherlee, Glasgow.

Public Transport

Bus to Netherlee for start. Buses or trains can be used to approach many parts of the route.

Start Grid Ref

NS577588

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17km / 10.5 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 380m (Profile)

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Explorer 342 - Glasgow

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The walk is described from the shopping street in Netherlee, which is served by buses from the city centre, but you could join the route at many points. Head north along the road towards Rutherglen, then turn right right through the gates into Linn Park. The park covers 200 acres and is the second largest in Glasgow; it has been owned by the city since 1919. Continue ahead along the main path until a junction by Halfpenny Bridge. Do not cross this old iron bridge, instead keep to the left of the river. Soon there's a path off right - follow this downhill. There are some attractive waterfalls here that give the park its name. Continue downriver on the path - it climbs and descends quite a number of steps. Eventually it runs alongside a mesh fence (on your left) well above the river; the gate here leads to Holmwood House which is open to the public (Thurs-Sun) and has a cafe. The route continues down the steps to the right. Emerge at the end of a tarmac lane - go left on this and then immediately right onto a path through the trees.

Stage 2

There are more steps as the path continues down the dell, which once housed several mills. Eventually it emerges at Snuff Mill Bridge - a lovely spot. Turn right and cross the bridge. When Snuffmill Road bends left on the far side keep straight ahead uphill on Greenock Avenue. At a crossroads turn right onto Old Castle Road; be sure to cross to the far side of the road to take the path that heads up steps. At a path junction turn left. The path climbs onto a low hill from where Mary Queen of Scots watched the Battle of Langside in 1568, following her escape from Kinross Castle. Her troops were defeated and Mary was later beheaded. The rock over to the left of the route marks Court Knowe, where courts of justice were once held.

Stage 3

The path heads back into the trees - turn right at a junction and descend to emerge onto a road. Turn left here to head along the length of Seil Drive until a T-junction with the busy Carmunnock Road. Turn left along the pavement for almost 200m to reach a pelican crossing, use this to cross. On the far side go left for a moment and then immediately right through a gap in the railings to enter King's Park. Keep straight ahead at a path junction, passing just to the right of a playground. The path ends here but just keep straight ahead across the grass - keeping an eye out for the marker posts. The route keeps well to the right of Aikenhead House, crossing straight over another tarmac path.

Stage 4

Keep straight across the next path and at the following path cross onto the grass but aim slightly right to descend (marker posts) and then turn right to leave the park via the gates at its southeastern corner. Go straight across the road here and take the path that starts climbing uphill to the left, keep ahead at a junction through young trees. Soon it swings left and later back right as it makes a very gentle zig-zag ascent. Keep left again when it nears some flats, emerging on Croftside Avenue. Turn left for for 200m, then turn right on a path through the greenspace, keeping straight across at the next street. Cross the main Croftfoot Road and turn left along the path on the far side.

Stage 5

Continue along Croftfoot Road, keeping straight ahead at the crossroads with Castlemilk Road using the pedestrian crossing. Cross the greenspace to reach the quieter Croftfoot Drive which runs parallel to Croftfoot Road. Ignore Croftfoot Terrace (off right), then lookout for a footpath signpost indicating where to turn right into the trees. When this reaches a cross-paths turn left (signed for Youth Complex, Jeely Piece etc.) The surfaced path heads uphill beside a small burn. Emerging at a path junction follow the right side of the pond, keeping the mesh fence on your right. When a wider tarmac lane is reached turn right up it, later don't cross the stone bridge - fork left onto a path to stay on the left side. The path soon crosses a metal footbridge.

Stage 6

Keep left at another junction, following the surfaced path. Eventually the path emerges onto Ardencraig Road. Cross to the far side then turn left along the pavement. The road gently curves right, passing a mini-roundabout (shop off to the left here if needed). Continue round the bend to the right, then turn left onto a cul-de-sac. At the back of this is a signed footpath heading half left into the trees. It ascends into a meadow - part way up turn right at the marker post. The path is soon crosses a boardwalk and then begins to climb gently through the attractive parkland, eventually reaching a seat with great views back over the city. Go through the gap in the metal railings into the woods, bearing left at a junction then right at another (both with marker posts).

Stage 7

At a more open area, keep to the leftmost path (the one on the right is for mountain bikes). The route climbs up onto the escarpment of Cathkin Braes. Once on the flatter ground bear right across the grass to follow the top of the steep bank, which offers superb views over Glasgow towards the Campsies and Ben Lomond. Aim to pass to the right of the transmitter mast. There are views of a big wind turbine straight ahead as the path heads into the trees. Keep ahead until a marker on a thicker wooden post indicates a turn to the right. Go straight over a bike path then emerge near the base of the big turbine. The route doesn't approach it but keeps just inside the woodland on an informal path - there's a maze of routes here so watch for the markers. Eventually the route bears left out of the trees and turns right (small pond ahead) onto a bigger path which then aims left across a grassy meadow.

Stage 8

Go straight across a larger path. Soon there are views over the southwestern part of Glasgow ahead. The route descends to a surfaced cyclepath and turns right along it. Continue until a marker indicates where to turn left, keeping a fence on your left and hedgerow on your right. Go through a gate on the left and then descend slightly right diagnonally across the field. Go through the gate at the bottom and cross the road, heading slightly left before turning right through a pedestrian gate onto a surfaced path between hedgerows. The route emerges onto a lane turn right along this passing a house on your left, at the corner fork right onto a path. Keep right at a signed path soon emerging onto a main road. Turn right along the verge for 100m cross the road and follow the footpath on the far side down hill.

Stage 9

Near the bottom of the slope turn right to cross a stile, and soon left over another stile. Head straight across the field to reach another stile. Turn left along the track beyond, ignoring a first branch on the right but taking the second, heading towards a mast. Pass around the left side of the mast enclosure and heading downhill through woods. The, sometimes very muddy, path bears slightly left heading down steps to eventually reach the burn, turn right here. At the bridge, don't cross follow the path to the right instead. The path climbs away from the water and after crossing a small open area follow the markers carefully to stay in the woods. Climb up to the right on a faint path near the south side of a cemetery and then bear left to follow a wide (and muddy) path above the cemetery. Keep left when another path is joined and eventually the route emerges from the woods to descend grass to reach the road with a school on the far side. Turn left at the road and very soon cross and take the path on the far side. Keep ahead at a cross-paths then go left at a T-junction. Emerging at Linn Park meadow, leave the path to bear left, heading downhill through the centre of the meadow. Right at the bottom is Linn Park Bridge - Glasgow's oldest metal bridge. Cross this and then turn left to head back to the start.

Route Profile

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