New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde

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Essential Information About the New Lanark and Falls of Clyde Walking Route
 

A spectacular river walk

Distance: 7 miles

Time: 3 – 4 hours

Difficulty: moderate

Terrain: good footpaths to Bonnington Linn. Paths can be muddy on opposite bank to Kirkfieldbank

Start/finish point: New Lanark Visitor Centre

Map: OS Landranger 72

Transport: Train – Lanark railway station 2 miles; Bus – regular service between Lanark Interchange and New Lanark

Refreshment: Mill Pantry coffee shop, New Lanark; New Lanark Mill hotel; Riverside bar, Kirkfieldbank

Walk from New Lanark, the UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the River Clyde’s hidden side.

Follow the river as it surges through a narrow gorge and over three spectacular waterfalls. Walking through the Falls of Clyde nature reserve, where birdsong competes with the roar of the waterfalls, keep a look out for kingfishers, otters and badgers.

In spring the highlight of the walk is watching the resident peregrine falcons raise their fledglings.

 

New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde Walking Route - Points of interest
 

1. New Lanark – 18th century utopian village and UNESCO World Heritage site.

2.Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve Visitor Centre – stop off and find out what to look out for.

3. Corra Linn – the grandest and highest of the Falls of Clyde.

4. Peregrine Watch – watch the falcons raise their young on a rocky ledge above the river.

5. Bonnington Linn – the most menacing of the Falls of Clyde.

6. Corra Castle – perched above the Corra Linn William Wordsworth wrote a poem about the castle and the falls.

7. Clydesholm Bridge – the narrow hump back bridge was built in 17th century.

8. Castlebank Park – a beautiful park and site of Lanark castle where William Wallace began his rebellion against English rule.

New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde Walking Route Details

From the New Lanark Visitor Centre go down steps to mill shop and turn left.

Beyond old schoolhouse go to the right to SWT visitor centre and close-up view of Dundaff Linn.

Climb steps to left. At top turn right through archway to follow Clyde; at the end of the boardwalk go to the right.

At the hydro power station follow signposts off to right and climb to viewpoint.

Continue upstream to weir and cross Clyde.

Turn right downstream. Bear right and follow footpath along the Clyde [follow diversion while peregrines are nesting furthest from Clyde.)

Continue to Corra Castle and from there continue downstream.

At each junction turn right to continue downstream. Footpath emerges
at old lodge house in Kirkfieldbank.

Turn right downhill to join Clyde Walkway and cross Clydesholm bridge.

Go through gate in between properties at far side of bridge and descend to rejoin footpath by Clyde.

Continue uphill at water plant and follow single track road to top of hill, turn right into Castlebank Park.

In the park turn right before big house to follow Clyde walkway steeply downhill and then uphill into New Lanark.