I am walking the Clyde Coastal Path in short stages. The Clyde Coastal Path (CCP) extends from Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire to Kelly Burn, between Wemyss Bay, in Renfrewshire, and Skelmorlie in North Ayrshire.
The route is around 55km / 35 miles in total and after a section inland and over low hills, it mainly hugs the coastline. There are a few alternative route options along the way.
The first stage climbs from 50m to a highest point of 197m.
The walking (and off-road cycling) route links the West Highland Way and the Ayrshire Coastal Path. It is also part of the International Appalachian Trail (Scotland) , which traverses the entire western coastline of Scotland from the Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath.
It would be possible to walk the route in three main sections:
- Milngavie to the Erskine Bridge (14km)
- The Erskine Bridge to Greenock (23.7km)
- Greenock to Kelly burn (coastal route 20.6km or over moorland 17.8km).
I am walking the full route in sections of around 10km each and enjoying evening strolls with my friend Ellen.
Stage 1: Milngavie to Cochno Road
Distance: 7.5km / 4.6 miles
Starting in the small town of Milngavie (accessible by train from Glasgow), the Clyde Coastal Path follows a similar route to the West Highland Way for almost 2km. Both routes are well signposted.
The CCP leaves the West Highland Way to head towards Milngavie Golf Course and then onwards through an area and small settlement called Craigton.
The tracks are easy to find and well trodden. They are a mix of wide tracks, muddy paths and trails.
There is a road crossing, the A809, which can be busy. After the road, the route climbs quite steeply on a rocky path beside a burn (stream) for a short while before reaching more open farmland. Make sure your dog is on a lead here because there is usually livestock in the fields.
The views as you continue the gentle ascent to the top of the small hill are beautiful. Look behind to see the Campsie Fells and to the south are the hills of Renfrewshire and Ayrshire. Glasgow is easily seen, too.
After passing through a gate, you join a wide gravel track that climbs a little higher through farmland. Keep following the signs and don’t be tempted to leave the wide track until you reach a wide farm gate. The signposts direct you to turn left and south.
The route descends on a narrower path that is muddy in places. Interestingly, you pass by Douglas Muir Quarry. This is a working quarry (although it wasn’tin operation when we walked by because of Covid-19 lockdown).
There is a short detour to information boards and a viewpoint over the stone quarry. It tells you about the history of the quarry and also conservation efforts.
A section of board walk leads to a corrugated metal tunnel, which you pass through to join a path through pretty moorland. There are more great views eastwards and over Glasgow. You can see the hills of Stirlingshire, too.
The paths heads further downhill towards (and close to) Whitehill Farm before you arrive at Cochno Road.
This is where Ellen and I finished the first stage of the walk. (We used two cars to allow for an A to B walk.) I have also cycled this section as part of a longer bike route. Three reservoirs bike route.
Video guide: First stage Clyde Coastal Path
Route map
See the full route details on an OS Map.
See Clyde Coastal Path: Stage 2.
More information about Clyde Coastal Path
There is a website for the Clyde Coastal Path, although it isn’t the easiest to use when looking for distances etc. Also see a guidebook for more details.
• CCP care: To the south of the Erskine Bridge the route is looked after by the Rotary Club of Gourock, while to the north of the bridge the Rotary Club of Allander takes care of the path. You can help with donations to the path.