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Bob Law’s Blog: Old Kilpatrick. Lusset Glen to Bowling Walk

An attractive walk or cycle I enjoyed recently took in the villages of Old Kilpatrick and Bowling in West Dunbartonshire. They are in a great situation with the Kilpatrick Hills to the North and the Forth and Clyde Canal to the South. They looked particularly attractive in the Autumn.

I parked just above the train station in Old Kilpatrick, where a car park is available, then crossed under the Erskine Bridge via a foot path at the top of Lusset Glen. Continuing down this small but pretty glen beside a stream takes you into Old Kilpatrick where you can access the Forth and Clyde Canal.

A good flat walk of a couple of km leads along the canal to Bowling where there is a small harbour and tourist hub filled with a range of colourful boats. I was lucky enough to experience it on a perfect windless and still day with mirror reflections everywhere, great autumn colours, and a back drop of the Kilpatrick Hills.

Nearby several trails run through The Saltings, an adjacent area of reclaimed land which is a pleasing mix of salt marsh and grassy meadows. Between the canal and the river is another, more secluded trail running parallel to the canal through woods with occasional openings down to the River Clyde with several small sandy beaches.

This makes an alternative return route or you can continue on foot or bike along the footpath/cycle-track into Dumbarton and get the train a couple of stops back to your car.

If on a bike or a keen walker with extra energy to spare Clydebank Public Park which is not far away along the canal in the opposite direction makes a good additional add on as it sits on a hilltop with good views.Two to five hours round trip depending on what option you take and speed of travel.

November, 2021

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