Strathclyde Park is a superb hub from which to explore the surrounding area by bike. This route finds a quiet way through Motherwell to link Strathclyde Park with Duchess park, Dalzell Estate and the RSPB Baron's Haugh nature reserve. A great day out for all the family and lots to see and do during AND after your cycle.
Location
• Map: OS Explorer 343
• Start/finish point: Strathclyde Park watersports centre
• Transport: Train: Motherwell; Airbles (en route); Hamilton West
• Refreshment: Waterfront Cafe, watersports centre - 01698 402060. Windmills Cafe, 25 Leven Street Motherwell -01698 252836, or at M&Ds, www.scotlandsthemepark.com
• Cycle Hire: Mountain bike hire, Watersports centre - 01698 402060
• Distance: 8.5miles
• Time: 1-2 hours
• Difficulty: easy/moderate
• Terrain: Cycle paths, Park and quiet roads
Route
Head off round the Strathclyde Loch in a clockwise direction. At the far end of the loch go off to the left and continue to gate. Turn right to join road and continue to T-junction. Turn right to join main park road and follow for 1½ miles. At the crest off the second hill go between the rocks to leave the road on the left. Follow the gravel path to the end of Neilsland Drive. Go to the left and go downhill on tarmac path.
After a short distance join gravel path to the right. Emerge at Hamilton Road and go to the left to cross at lights beyond garage. Take first right into Malcolm Street and follow round to the left on to Crawford Street. Where Nigel Street meets Crawford Street go to the right into Duchess of Hamilton park and follow path on right-hand edge of park. Emerging where Avon Street meets Airbles Road opposite the Electric Bar, cross Avon Street and continue to pedestrian crossing.
Cross Airbles Road and then go round first right on to Leven Street. Take second right on Leven Street to take up North Lodge Avenue. Continue to end of avenue to turn right downhill at garages - signed for RSPB nature reserve and Clyde Walkway. Go round to the left and descend on the White Walk to the very bottom of the hill. Take care as hill is steep in places.
Follow path to the left around the cemetery and cross stream on narrow bridge. Turn right on to Chestnut Walk and follow to River Clyde. Turn right to take up Clyde Walkway and stick with river until directed to right through residential area. Go to the left and continue to end of cul-de-sac.
Rejoin path by Clyde (steps) and continue to Clyde bridge. Go under bridge to enter park and follow Clyde back to watersports centre.
Points of interest
• Watersports centre - A world-class sporting venue with lots of exciting events to combine with a cycle ride - why not try sailing at Sail Laser or enjoy a thrilling speed boat ride?
• M&D's Leisure Park - Scotland's only theme park and Amazonia's indoor tropical rainforest are yet more exciting reasons to visit.
• Roman bath house and bridge - the bridge is a copy but enough of the 2nd century bath house remains to be able to trace your way from the cold room to the hot room.
• Dalzell Estate - offers loads more cycle exploration on paths that wander up to Dalzell House and around the ornamental gardens and woodland.
• White Walk - In the grounds of Dalzell estate the old graveyard is at the foot of the equally spooky White Walk. Peer into the Hamilton family mausoleum and look out for the pet cemetery.
• Baron's Haugh - this RSPB nature reserve is flooded marshland in a bend in the river Clyde and attracts wintering wildfowl including wigeon and whooper swans. Look out for the hides on your right.