Glasgow, Scotland • October 13th 2023

Autumn Adventures: 3 Scenic Walks under an hour from Glasgow

For students like myself, looking for a study break or a way to escape a busy city as the days get colder is essential. Glasgow has an abundance of autumn walks within an hours reach. 

The city and its surroundings offer a trove of natural beauty and the changing leaves make this season the perfect time to explore outdoors.

In this blog I will take you through three beautiful walks, all easily accessible by public transport from Glasgow. 

Mugdock Country Park 

Located only 10 miles from Glasgow, 270 hectares of countryside is waiting for you.

The walk is the official starting point of the west highland way but takes you through the park. It offers a mix of woodlands, moorlands and lochs. 

It also has a rich history of Mugdock castle, a 14th century strong hold and the Mugdock country park visitor centre which hosts exhibitions and informative displays. 

Getting there

For train links:

Take the train from Glasgow Queens Street station to Milngavie. 

The journey is around 25mins and prices start at around £2.20

Trains start at 06:03 and run until 23:31 

Link to buy on Scotrail https://www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/glasgow-central-to-milngavie

For Bus links: 

For those with bus passes, the most common service up to Milngavie is first bus and the 60/60A, they run every 15 minutes. 

It generally takes 60 to 90 minutes. 

However it's important to note that bus routes and schedules can change, so double check the website for the latest information and the most up to date routes. 

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow/plan-journey/timetables?service=60%2F60A&day=mf

Balloch Country Park

A charming village nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond, this picturesque park offers a serene retreat from Glasgow. 

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park is often referred to as the gateway to the highlands.

Explore Balloch castle ruins while you're there, the historical charm combined with the autumn backdrop creates a unique spooky atmosphere for exploration and photography. 

Walking routes:

One option for a route is a 16.3km circular walk from the train station. The route goes via the loch banks and up through forestry and farmland. It takes an average of 4 hours to complete and has a 412m elevation gain. 

More information can be found here: 

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/scotland/west-dunbartonshire/balloch-bunk-hill-circular

For a longer route there is an option to do the Balloch to Helensburgh walk which is 15.25 miles via Ben Bowie and The Fruin. It has an elevation of 206feet and has a moderate ranking for difficulty. 

Getting there

For train links: 

Take the train from Glasgow Central station to Balloch station. 

The journey is around 50 minutes and prices start at £3.40 

Trains start at 05:48 and run until 23:37 

Link to buy on Scotrail https://www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/glasgow-queen-street-to-balloch

For Bus links:

The best service to take is is the 1 from Osborne Street bus stance, it runs every 5 minutes and takes around 60 minutes. 

However it's important to note that bus routes and schedules can change, so double check the website for the latest information and the most up to date routes.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow/plan-journey/timetables?service=1%2F1A%2F1B%2F1C%2F1D%2F1E&day=mf

Rouken Glen Park

Rouken Glen's Park's glory is the spectacular display of autumn foliage. 

The trails offer something for everyone, from short and easy strolls to longer and more challenging walks.

Walking trails:

It offers a network of well maintained walking trails that leader through woodlands and open meadows. Some of the trails lead to picturesque spots within the park, including the Glen and its pond.

The maps in the park show the walking routes available but can also be found here: 

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/parks/scotland/glasgow-city-3/rouken-glen-park

The walled garden:

a highlight of visiting is its enchanting walled garden. The autumn blooms and the rich tapestry of colours enhance the gardens beauty, offering a serene space for reflection and relaxation. 

Getting there

For train links:

Take the train from Glasgow central station to Whitecraigs .

The journey is around 20 minutes and costs £2.05

Trains start at 06:17 and run until 23:05 

Link to buy on Scotrail website https://www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/glasgow-central-to-whitecraigs

For bus links: 

The bus to take is the 38 from the city centre. They run every 10 minutes and takes 25 minutes. 

Here's the link to the bus timetable 

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow/plan-journey/timetables?service=38%2F38A%2F38B%2F38C%2F38E&day=mf