Starting at the Strathclyde Country Park this walk follows the course of the Clyde to the RSPB Baron’s Haugh Nature Reserve near Motherwell. After passing the Reserve, with the river on the right, the planned route enters the Dalzell Estate. There are many interesting things to see, and time will allow for views of Dalzell House (privately owned), the Japanese Garden, and Sow Bridge.Passing the RSPB Reserve again, this time on the landward side, the route rejoins the Clyde Walkway for the return trip.
Starting Point for the Walk:
Watersports Centre car park at Strathclyde Country Park – OS Reference NS 731 565. Café and toilets are available in the Centre.
Getting there: 16 miles / 23 minutes
Take your favourite route out of Glasgow onto the M74 (South). Exit M74 at Junction 6 onto A723 (Motherwell / Wishaw) and keep to left-hand lane until traffic lights. Turn left into Strathclyde Country Park and take the first turning on the left towards the Watersports Centre. Continue just past the Centre and turn right into the Watersports Centre car park.
The Walk: Clyde Valley and Dalzell Estate (6 miles/10km)
The walk starts from the Watersports Centre car park, passes the Centre and continues through another car park which was passed on the way towards the Centre. Exit this small car park and at a fork in the path bear right and continue under the road bridge to join the Clyde Walkway going south. The path deviates briefly into a housing estate before returning towards the river via a signed route through woodland. A cemetery lies to the left after which the path widens before going under an impressive railway viaduct.
From the railway viaduct, continue onward, and where the path splits, bear right. Following this path, go through a metal gate before reaching a flood prevention scheme. Descend the bank, cross a flat area, and ascend the bank on the far side. The Barons Haugh Nature Reserve lies to the left. Passing the Centenary Bird Hide, through another metal gate, and then passed another bird hide, the path descends to a bench facing the River Clyde. At the Information Board turn left heading inland beside the Dalzell Burn until a sign for the Dalzell Estate. Turn left, cross the burn, and then turn immediately right. At the next fork, turn left and ascend some steps. Keep the railings to the right and continue until a broad path. At this point, turn left and follow the path until two sculpted wooden benches.
Continue on this path until it reaches a road. Look to the right for views of Dalzell House, but turn left and pass a Japanese garden to the right. Pause to look around. Next, cross the Sow Bridge and turn right following the path until the top end of a horse paddock. Turn left and follow a path through the woods, taking a left fork when the path splits. On reaching a road, cross it and take the path opposite. At this point there is a car park to the right.
Follow this path, with fields to the right and paths leading off to bird hides on your left. Barons Haugh Nature Reserve is again on the left. On the termination of a fence on the left, take the path leading off to the left. Continue until a metal gate on the left (this is one of the metal gates passed on the outward part of the walk). Turn right, and retrace the route back to the starting point of the walk.