I lived in Glasgow for 8 months and took every chance I could get to spend in Scottish nature. You certainly don't need to venture far from the city to have a lovely day in the outdoors.
Here are my favourite spots to go for a hike, swim or a wander, all reachable within 1,5 hours from Glasgow.
1. Mugdock Country Park
If you need a break from your busy work week, you can’t go wrong in Mugdock Country Park. A short train ride from Glasgow center brings you in Milngavie. Here city flows into countryside; there are lochs, flowers and water birds, but also castle ruins and anti-aircraft trenches from WWII. This is the start of the West Highland Way; every morning of the year you’ll see heavily-packed chaps, gleaming of the adventure in front of them. The visitor centre of Mugdock has a craftshop and good coffee. Outside the park boundaries there are many more lochs – Dumbrock Loch, Craigallian Loch – ideal for swimming, with their grassy banks in the shelter of trees.
How to reach:
There are regular trains to Milngavie from all train stations in Glasgow. Free parking available at the park entrances.
2. Conic Hill
A must-do hike, short but steep, with what might be the best views across Loch Lomond. The route up is through a forest of centipedes, over the ridge where Highland coos are sunbathing. Conic Hill (361 m) is exactly on the fault line between the Central Belt and the Highlands. From the hilltop you look straight out over the range of islands in the loch, formed on the Boundary Fault. Northwards, Ben Lomond’s flat roof towers over its surroundings. Truly magnificent!
How to reach:
Train from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch, then bus 309 to Balmaha. First hour free parking at trailhead; it can get busy here. Or walk from Drymen for a longer, more gentle climb.
3. The Whangie
Hidden in the Kilpatrick Hills lies a remarkable rock formation. The undulating landscape reveals nothing, until you go around the hillside and all of a sudden enter a narrow gorge. It’s basically one big rock with an enormous gash in it, cracking and curling. The perfect playground for scrambling and playing hide and seek. Or use the 50 feet high walls to practice your rock climbing.
How to reach:
Parking at Queen’s View Car Park. No public transport. Nearest bus stop at Blanefield is 5,5 kms away over a main road.
4. Arrochar Alps
For a big day out, head to the Arrochar Alps. They’re a cluster of hills in the Southern Highlands, nestled between Loch Fyne, Loch Long and Loch Lomond. Being the most accessible group of munros and corbetts from Glasgow, the Arrochar Alps make for an excellent, albeit popular day trip. On a clear day, views from the summit of the heighest peak, Beinn Ìme (1011 m), extend to the Crianlarich Hills, the Cowal Peninsula, and Loch Katrine. Most famous is The Cobbler, or Ben Arthur (884 m), with its bizarre batmanlike shape. The craggy outcrops are a magnet for climbers; experienced scramblers will like to tackle the rock pinnacle that marks the highest summit. The South Peak is even harder to reach, only accessible by secured climbing.
The hills can be done separately or as one big loop, taking in Beinn Narnain (926 m) too. Trails have been renewed in recent years, so it’s good-going underfoot. You can extend this trip by staying overnight in Abyssinia Bothy. To get there you’ll need to descend down the steep north slope of Beinn Ìme and cross boggy moorland; this is much rougher going. Other peaks in the area include Ben Vane (915 m) & Ben Vorlich (943 m), often climbed from Loch Lomond’s shore, giving way to stunning views over the big loch.
How to reach:
Bus 926 or 976 towards Oban/Campbeltown stops at Arrochar. Keep in mind that service is limited. Parking at Succoth Car Park for 1 pound per hour. For Ben Vane/Ben Vorlich take the bus to Inveruglas.
5. Devil’s Pulpit
Made popular by the Outlander TV show, this gorge is perfect for an afternoon of swimming or canyoning. The red sandstone riverbed contrasts sharply with the mossy cliffs. Wear good boots and clothes that can get dirty; the descent to the bottom of the canyon is steep and slippery.
How to reach:
Limited parking, not signposted. Visit on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid crowds. Best parking at the junction of the B834 and A809 or a small lay-by on the A809 by the bridge over Carnock Burn. The first parking area has more space but you have to cross a field and the river to reach the gorge. Easier is to follow the A809 until you find the bridge. The lay-by lies near the trailhead by a gap in the rock fence. Follow the mud trail for a couple hundred meters until you reach the stone staircase down into the gorge.
Nearest bus stop is an hour’s walk away in Killearn, reached with the X10 from Glasgow Buchanan. If you’re lucky you can also take the BF4 which stops on the roundabout between the A81 and B834; this will save you half the walk.
6. Luss & Beinn DubH
A popular weekend getaway, and rightfully so – from the pier you have a fantastic view of Loch Lomond & the Ben. You can go kayaking, paddling or take a boat trip over the loch. Or dare jump in from the pier. There's also a range of trails starting out from the village – Beinn Dubh is my favourite. With 657 m it's a steep buggar up, but its views are oh so rewarding, over the loch and towards the Arrochar Alps.
How to reach:
Busses towards Oban & Fort William stop along the A82 next to Luss. Parking under 2 hours is free at Luss South Car Park.
7. Campsie Glen & Chrichton’s Cairn
Combine a plunge in the stream pools of the Kirk Burn with a walk up to Chrichton's Cairn (463 m) or further out to Cort ma Law (526 m). On clear days views stretch back to Glasgow and over the Campsies. Lovely picnic spots by the waterfalls in the wooded glen. End your walk with coffee in Clachan of Campsie and a visit to the church, founded by the Irish saint Machan in the 6th century, and its beautiful mausoleum dated from 1715.
How to reach:
Bus X86 to Clachan of Campsie departs from Glasgow Buchanan. Free parking at Campsie Glen Waterfall Park.
8. Dumgoyne & Earl’s Seat
Dumgoyne (427 m) is the distinctive hump of the Campsie Fells. The hill is a volcanic plug; once it was the flowing lava in a volcano’s vent. Over time the volcanic cone eroded away, leaving only the lava clot, and that is how Dumgoyne got its shape. It’s a little devil, relentlessly steep, for a short while worse than most munros. If you aren’t up for this you can bypass the summit to the left and aim straight for Earl’s Seat, a gentler incline. With 578 m, Earl’s Seat is the highest peak of the Campsies, located deeper in the moorland. Afterwards, you can treat yourself with a dram of whisky at the Glengoyne Distillery.
How to reach:
Bus X10/10A towards Belfron/Stirling stops at Glengoyne Distillery on request. Roadside parking available.
9. Linn Cave
My first ever cave! This former limestone quarry lies in a forest just outside of Glasgow. Rappel down the gorge or take the mud track down into the intimate gully, where a beautiful waterfall cascades down rock columns. From the entrance of the cave behind it, there’s stunning views back through the waterfall. Wear wellies and a headtorch if you want to explore the cave further. It’s very wet and muddy, but a unique chance to see a mine from the inside.
When we were well within, we turned off our lights, and the cavers shared stories about their expeditions, some incredibly challenging, 10 hours of crawling and climbing beneath the earth’s surface; others liked to sing songs and philosophize in the dark, as we did now. And there, in that crack in the earth, I fell in love with the cuddling rocks, and the complete darkness.
The woods around Baldernock are also a great place for scavaiging; maybe you’ll even stumble upon other remains of the quarry.
How to reach:
Limited parking spots along Baldernock Linn. Nearest bus stop is 4 kms away at Milngavie Health Club. Take the X10/10A to get there.
10. Ayrshire coast
Get off the train in one of the harbour towns along the Ayrshire coast, west of Glasgow. Irvine, Troon, West Kilbride – all have long stretches of golden sand inviting you to take a dip. You’ll do so with the specatacular peaks of Arran as your backdrop, across the Firth of Clyde. Afterwards, get a chippy at the village pub or soak up art in West Kilbride’s craft shops.
How to reach:
Trains for Largs and Ayr from Glasgow Central travel along the Ayrshire coast.
11. Kilpatrick Hills
A pleasant walk over the grassy hills of Kilpatrick with lovely views over the Clyde river. Can get very boggy! You’ll pass by a reservoir and a loch popular with fishermen, over wild moorland to the domes of Duncolm (401 m). From the more southern top of The Slacks (365 m) you can see all the way to Glasgow. A big contrast with the windy hilltop.
How to reach:
Train from Glasgow Queen Street to Kilpatrick Station. Free parking at Kilpatrick Braes car park.
12. Falls of Falloch
A swimming paradise! This waterfall plunges 10 meters down rocks into a large pool, surrounded by lush green. I cannot imagine a more beautiful setting for a picnic and a swim. For a bigger adventure, head there over the West Highland Way. A couple hundred meters before the waterfall you descend the trail to the banks of the river Falloch. To reach the waterfall, you first need to cross the river, an exciting venture (only recommended when water levels are low)! Bring water shoes and a waterproof bag. From there, it’s only a short scramble to the waterfall; since you’re already soaking wet, it’ll be an easy jump in.
How to reach:
Parking along the A82, 600 meters’ walk from the Falls. If coming by bus, take a Citylink for Fort William or Oban from Glasgow Buchanan and get off at The Drovers Inn in Inverarnan. Cross the river to Beinglas Campsite and from there follow the West Highland Way north. After about 45 minutes the Falls of Falloch will appear on your left at the bottom of the slope you’re on. If you see them, you’ve walked too far. Descend the slope a couple hundred meters earlier, wade through the river and climb over the bank to reach the waterfall.
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