Adventure of the Week: Gorbals - Hogganfield - Cadder - Lambhill - Speirs Wharf

‘Adventure of the Week’ is a new series of blog entries from Veloworld capturing some of our favourite cycle routes.

This week I’ll take you along with me on a micro adventure to the North of Glasgow and back via the scenic canal paths.

If you have a favourite route you’d like to share - we’d love to hear from you! Fill out the form at the end of the post for a chance to be featured in the next Adventure of the Week.

Gorbals to Hogganfield

The cycle starts from the Gorbals, near Glasgow Green and heads up through Calton and Denniston towards Hogganfield and Robroyston.

There’s a couple of nature reserves in this area worth checking out - Cardowan Moss Local Nature Reserve and Robroyston Park Local Nature Reserve.

Cardowan Moss Local Nature Reserve is a raised bog and home to a range of wildlife including frogs and toads, roe deer and water voles, butterflies, dragonflies and lots of birds. There’s a network of about 4 miles of wide, smooth and mostly flat paths across Cardowan - great for walking and cycling. Cardowan is part of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, Scotland's largest urban nature park.

Robroyston Park Local Nature Reserve covers about 50 hectares of land which consists mainly of rough grassland, areas of wetland, a pond and planted trees. This local nature reserve is a wonderful place to walk, cycle and spot wildlife such as grey herons at the ponds and roe deer in the woods.

As you reach Bishopbriggs you can escape the roads and join the canal path heading back to Glasgow and Speirs Wharf after the Bishopbriggs Leisuredrome. This route is part of the National Cycle Network 754.

Cadder to Lambhill

I enjoy cycling along the Forth and Clyde canal paths as you get to take in the picturesque countryside and you travel. The canals provide a wonderful wildlife corridor and recreational space. While you’re beside the canals you have the possibility of spotting swans, kingfishers, otters, herons and other animals. At this time of year the wild flowers are in full bloom and there’s lots of bees and butterflies to spot as you cycle past.

At points along the route there is access to connecting walk and cycle ways, notably Possil Marsh.

Possil Marsh has a shallow freshwater loch surrounded by marsh, swamp and fen, with areas of willow scrub and grassland. There is a path (accessed from the Forth and Clyde towpath) around the perimeter of the reserve.

Lambhill Stables - Speirs Wharf

After the Possil Marsh and as the towpath reaches the A879, you’ll come across the Lambill Stables.

Lambhill Stables is a beautiful old building which was built around 1815 as a staging post in the days when horses pulled boats and barges along the Forth and Clyde Canal.

The building was acquired by the local community in 2007, and was transformed into a welcoming community hub which provides opportunities for learning new skills, taking part in creative and social activities and caring for the environment.

Usually if you were to fancy a wee break at this point, there is a volunteer-run cafe in the Lambhill Stables - sadly it’s currently closed due to COVID19. I’ll be checking back regularly for it opening back up though as their menu looks delicious!

They also have a bike hub with a workshop for repairs and bike hiring facilities (handy if you’re caught out on your cycle!), alongside a lovely community garden space. Check out the map below for where the Lambhill Stables are located - it’s well worth a visit.

 

Speirs Wharf

As you reach Glasgow you’ll pass through Speirs Wharf and onto Cowcaddens and the city centre.

Speirs Wharf was originally the offices of the Forth & Clyde Navigation Co. and the City of Glasgow Grain Mills and Stores built for John Currie & Co. in 1851.

Originally the mills had twenty pairs of mill stones and a 100 horse power condensing engine. Built high on a hill above the city, the buildings command excellent views across the west of the city and the mills were converted to flats in 1989.

The video below from Live At Five details a history of Speirs Wharf and the Forth & Clyde Canals.

And we’re back!

This micro-adventure was a 17.3 mile route and took me about 1.5 hours, a leisurely cycle for a summer evening and featuring a mix of Glasgow’s green and industrial beauty spots.

Do you have a favourite route you’d like to share with the Veloworld community? Get in touch using the form below and you could be featured in our next Adventure of the Week blog post.