Hubby G and I have moved home and while still in East Dunbartonshire for the time being, we are living in a different town. I could easily return to the routes I know so well in the Kilpatricks and Campsies – and at Mugdock Country Park – but I decided to explore the trails and hills closer to Lenzie.
This run took me to Finglen, near Clachan of Campsie, to visit a cairn and a waterfall.
Start/finish: Lennoxtown Memorial Hall (you can start/finish at Clachan of Campsie, too).
Distance: 12km.
Total ascent: 380m
Route: See OS Map for details.
Running route: Lennoxtown to Finglen
I met my friend Iain at Lennox Memorial Hall and we ran a short distance on tarmac, then across a field to reach a flat path. This is the Thomas Muir Heritage Trail (which runs from Clachan of Campsie to Bishopbriggs) and also the Strathkelvin Railway Path (from Strathblane to Kirkintilloch).
The path pops out on the A891, just before the road turning to Clachan of Campsie, and we turned left. A short section on the pavement took us to a farm track heading north.
After passing various farm buildings, the track becomes rougher and the incline becomes steeper. The route climbs towards White Spout (marked on the OS Map).
The aim was to reach a cairn located next to a small area of woodland. From here the views, on a fine day, are expansive. I could only take Iain’s word for this because our run was on a day of low cloud. It was still a fantastic place that felt wild considering how close it is to urban life.
The nearer hills of the Campsie Fells looked stunning with a blanket of snow.
From the cairn it’s possible to head further north to reach other summits I am more familiar with in the Campsies, such as Dumbreck and Earl’s Seat. (I am saving that for a day of better weather.)
Instead, Iain and I descended the glen, looking out for a bank that would take us to a narrow bridge across the river. It’s close to Black Spout on the OS map.
There is a rope conveniently located to assist you to descend the steep slope and then a narrow stone bridge over the water.
From here, our route headed back up again. After a short section on a muddy path, we joined a wider track that heads up to a waterfall.
This is the track much used by people from Clachan of Campsie to the waterfall. It’s a good quality gravel track and would make a great mountain bike route, if you are fit enough to ride up some very steep sections.
Iain and I ran and walked – and chatted. We passed many couples and family groups but the track is wide enough to give everyone enough space to pass.
The higher we climbed, the more snow lay on the track. It was the sort of hard-packed snow that is great for trail runners.
After several steep sections, the track flattens a bit until it descends and turns a corner where the waterfall is easily spotted.
The track continues north but Iain tells me it suddenly ends a little further on. I wonder what the track was originally built for?
After taking in the waterfall, we ran back down the track, this time descending into Clachan of Campsie.
In the village, we headed east and then south-east on a muddy path that runs parallel with the A891 and on the opposite side of the road to our outward journey. The views of the Campsie fells were beautiful.
Finally returning to Lennoxtown, we ran past the pond and back to the Memorial Hall.
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