Top 6 Country Walks in Glasgow

Whilst studying at any university, you will need moments to escape the boredom of classes or the procrastinated hours spent in the library. We all have those days, and sometimes the best way to escape is not by going to a pub with your friends or grabbing a coffee in a trendy little cafe, but to travel a little further than your typical 15 minute walk to and from university each day.

The fresh air will always benefit you during university, and whether you’re a gym fiend or unsure of where the place even is, sometimes nature is the thing to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

Glasgow is said to be derived from either Cumbricor glas cau, a Middle Gaelic cognate which meant green basin or green valley. If you stretch out of the city’s hub you will find this to be true – you don’t need to travel far to go on a pleasant walk around Glasgow, and some of the best walks are situated in a country park’s only a few minutes walk away from a train station!

Charlotte Dean, 2nd year History of Art Student at Glasgow University

Kelvin Walkway, Glasgow West End

Only a stone’s throw away from Glasgow University and in the heart of Glasgow’s West End, Kelvin Walkway has numerous entrances through the Botanics or Kelvingrove Park. On a sunny day the sound of the river Kelvin can provide you with a quick escape and/or a pleasant walk with a friend. Be aware that the walkway allows bikes too, and can be busy at times – but the amount of dogs you will pass will make it a joyous experience. For this walk you could easily stretch it from a 20 minute stroll to an hour long depending where you exit. You could even end your walk with a trip to Inn Deep for a well-earnt pint!

Pollok Country Park

Depending on whether you are travelling from the city centre or the West End, journey time differs to this park situated in the South Side of Glasgow. From the West End you can take the subway to Bridge Street Underground and then catch the 57 First bus, and this will stop just outside one of the entrances of the park on Haggs Road. The train station Pollokshaws West is also situated at this entrance of the park.

Mugdock Country Park

On a sunny day in spring you will be immersed in greenery, and one of the paths you can travel on takes you around Mugdock Loch where Mugdock Castle is also situated. It is fairly well signposted, but due to the sheer scale of the park it is handy to have a look at the map posts when you get the chance to. You can also walk around Milgnavie Waterworks that is just on the outskirts of the park and is perfect for people watching or spotting a dog or two as Milgnavie dog walkers spend plenty of time here.

Luss, Loch Lomond

Whether you’re a hiker or enjoy a less challenging walk, Loch Lomond can give you whatever you need. From the West End, you are able to get the bus 916, 926, or 976. If the hike of Ben Lomond does not appeal to you and you enjoy a gentle stroll, Luss offers you everything from a short, 15 minute walk in the cobbled, stone-housed village to an hour’s walk in the village’s nearby countryside.

Loch Katrine and Ben A’an

If you have a friend that has a car, make the most of it and visit Loch Katrine by travelling the A81 or M80, which will take you an hour and a half. Aside from its cultural and historical importance with Rob Roy MacGregor and author Sir Walter Scott, the Loch provides a great day out that can’t be had everywhere in Scotland. At Trossachs Pier there is a car park, and the bike hire ‘Katrine Wheelz’ is situated here too, make sure you have to prebook as they are very popular.