Long distance
Clyde Walkway
Follows the River Clyde from the centre of Glasgow upstream to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde. Urban, suburban and then genuinely rural.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 65 km/ 40 mi
- Typical days
- 3
- Total ascent
- 600 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Start → Finish
- Glasgow → New Lanark
- Best direction
- Either direction
✔ Waymarked throughout
Our take
The Clyde Walkway is the most accessible long-distance route in Scotland — you can walk from Glasgow Central station. The first section through the city is urban riverside regeneration; the middle section through Lanarkshire is pleasant farmland; the finale at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde is spectacular. An excellent winter walk when the hills are out of condition.
Highlights
- Glasgow riverside — from the SEC to Dalmarnock
- Bothwell Castle
- Falls of Clyde — Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn
- New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 3-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Glasgow to Bothwell22km · 150m ascent
From Glasgow city centre along the Clyde through the regenerated riverside past the SEC and Dalmarnock to Bothwell with its magnificent castle.
- Terrain
- Urban riverside paths, cycle paths, parkland. Flat and surfaced.
- Overnight
- Bothwell has hotels and B&Bs. Hamilton is nearby with more options.
- Stats
- Glasgow → Bothwell · 22km · ↑150m
2Bothwell to Crossford22km · 200m ascent
Past Bothwell Castle and through Lanarkshire farmland along the Clyde. The landscape becomes increasingly rural as you leave Greater Glasgow behind.
- Terrain
- Riverside paths, farm tracks, woodland trails.
- Overnight
- Crossford has the Tillietudlem Hotel and B&Bs. Lanark is 3km away with more choice.
- Stats
- Bothwell → Crossford · 22km · ↑200m
3Crossford to New Lanark21km · 250m ascent
The finest day — through the Clyde gorge past Corra Linn and Bonnington Linn waterfalls to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark.
- Terrain
- Gorge paths, woodland trails, some steep sections near the falls.
- Overnight
- New Lanark has the New Lanark Mill Hotel. Lanark above has hotels and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Crossford → New Lanark · 21km · ↑250m
Best months
Accommodation
Glasgow has everything. Hamilton and Lanark have hotels and B&Bs. New Lanark has its own hotel.
Resupply
Never far from a shop. Fully urban for the first third.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Glasgow)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:32
- Sunset
- 20:56
- Civil dawn
- 04:47
- Civil dusk
- 21:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026
Share your experience
Walked the Clyde Walkway? Help others plan their trip.