Physical exercise and being outdoors both directly positively affect our mental health and wellbeing. To get the best of both, here is a list of six walking (or running!) routes around beautiful Glasgow!
Stroll Along the Clyde
From the Riverside Museum, you can walk along the river all the way through City Centre to Glasgow Green park in the east end.
Distance: 3.2 miles/5 km
What you’ll see: The Riverside Museum and Tall Ship, the Clydeside Distillery (pop in for a wee dram or a boozy latte), the Glasgow Science Centre, the Glasgow Scottish Entertainment Centre Armadillo, the Finnieston Crane, Metropolitan Cathedral of St Andrew, McLennan Arch at the entrance of Glasgow Green, and finally BRIDGES! So many beautiful bridges.
Possible animal sightings: Several duck species, several gull species, peregrines, swifts, kingfishers, swans, otters, pipistrelle bats (at dawn and dusk), and water voles are all animals you might see on this stroll. If you were lucky last year you would have seen a bottlenose whale just west of the Riverside museum!
How to get here by transit: To get to the Riverside Museum you can take the train or a bus to Partick station then walk south. To get to Glasgow Green you can take a train to Argyle Street station and walk south. You can also go to Central station and walk down to the river and you’ll be in the middle of the walk!
Glasgow Green
One of Scotland’s oldest parks, the Green is very accessible, large, and hosts a number of events all year round from carnivals to firework displays.
Size: 135 acres with trails and paths throughout
What you’ll see: The world’s largest terracotta fountain the Doulton Fountain, the McLennan Arch, the People’s Palace museum, the Nelson Monument obelisk, the Commonwealth monument (yes it does look like Google Headquarters), the interesting and unique Templeton on the Green building, a number of beautiful bridges, and many teams of rowers practicing on the river. Beware near St. Andrew’s Suspension bridge as it is right across from Strathclyde Distillery and smells like a giant delicious bakery that will leave you craving bread for the rest of the day.
Possible animal sightings: As it is a park on the Clyde you will get many birds like mallards, coots, moorhens, tufted ducks, herons, swans, gulls, and terns, as well as a number of mammals such as foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels, otters, and voles.
How to get here by transit: Take the train to Argyle street and walk south to the Green.
Victoria Park
Just west of Partick is the beautiful Victoria Park. It is known as Glasgow's prettiest park, with a number of flower beds, several ponds, and a deep fossil grove that is straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.
Size: 50 acres with trails and paths throughout
What you’ll see: The park has a large pond where people enjoy birdwatching and model yachting. There are bowling greens, tennis courts, a large children’s playground (As an adult, I have played there), an off-leash dog area, and a fossil grove with beautiful rocks to walk through and climb up. There is also a museum displaying the fossils that were discovered there in the 1800s.
Possible animal sightings: Many birds such as mallards, coots, moorhens, tufted ducks, herons, swans, gulls, terns, and ring-necked parakeets. You can also see squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs, and many other little creatures.
How to get here by transit: From Anniesland, the park is a 25-minute walk south straight down Crow Rd.! You can also take a train to Partick Station and then walk west for about 20 minutes.
Queen’s Park
In the South Side of Glasgow, you’ll find the lovely Queen’s Park.
Size: 148 acres with trails and paths throughout
What you’ll see: Queen’s Park has a beautiful pond, a skate park, a football pitch, a tennis centre, lawn bowling clubs, beautiful views of Glasgow from the highest point in the park, an Iron Age excavated site, steep hills for sledding in the winter, manicured flower beds in the summer, and historic Hampden Park right next door.
Possible animal sightings: Many birds such as mallards, coots, moorhens, tufted ducks, herons, swans, gulls, terns, and ring-necked parakeets. You can also see squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs, and many other little creatures.
How to get here by transit: Take a train to Central and then transfer to a train taking you south to Queens Park Station.
Pollok Country Park
This is the city’s largest park with extensive woodland and gardens. It’s been named both Britain’s Best Park as well as Europe’s Best Park.
Size: 360 acres of paths and woodland
What you’ll see: Pollok House historical museum, The Burrell Collection of international art, and lots of manicured beautiful paths.
Possible animal sightings: Everyone’s favourite, Highland Coos! You’ll also see Clydesdale horses, various mammals like squirrels and foxes, and lots of birds like ducks, herons, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and many more!
How to get here by transit: Take the train to central station then transfer onto a southern train and get off at Pollokshaws West station. The walk to the park from the station is about 15 minutes.
The Necropolis
A beautiful and sometimes spooky Victorian cemetery.
Size: 37 acres of paths and tombstones.
What you’ll see: Full of beautiful monuments including the William Wallace memorial, and views of the city. Next to the Necropolis, you can visit Glasgow Cathedral, the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, and Provand’s Lordship house museum.
Possible animal sightings: Grey squirrels, roe deer, pipistrelle bats, and a number of different types of birds including a few ominous crows.
How to get here: Take the train to High Street Station and walk about 15 minutes to the Necropolis.
Comments