Walk: The Magnificent 11… ish

📌 Southside, Glasgow
★★★

Although it has some extensive parks, Glasgow is hardly a city known for the quality of its walking terrain, except perhaps to locals. The Magnificent 11 is all the more impressive then; devised by the Countryside Ranger for South Glasgow and officially opened in July 2022, this circuit connects many of the open spaces in the southern suburbs and has been billed as “the greenest urban walk in Scotland”. The route has some surprisingly steep climbs in places, but this allows excellent views across the city from the high point at Cathkin Braes. Elsewhere there are pretty riverside and woodland sections, fine parks and just the occasional less interesting residential stretch. A bit of trivia: the route was originally titled The Magnificent 7 in reference to the number of green spaces visited, but has been rebranded to avoid confusion with a certain 1960s film in online searches. Happily, The Magnificent 11 (as it is now known) rhymes well and sums up the route’s length… ish!

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on Clarkston Road (B767), Netherlee, 4 mi south of George Square, Glasgow. Several alternative start points including Cathcart, Croftfoot, Castlemilk, Cathkin Braes Country Park & Carmunnock

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 579590

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.803700,-4.269232

🚌 Clarkston Road (B767) / Netherlee Road junction | 🚆 Cathcart – join route on northwest side

🚗 Street parking nearby

📝 Key info

▶ 16 km / 10 mi | ▲ 400 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr

Features: 💧 White Cart Water & waterfall; 🌳 Linn Park ★★; 🏰 Holmwood House ★★; 🌳 King’s Park; 🌳 Castlemilk Park; 🌳 Cathkin Braes Country Park ★★

⬤ Moderate | Clear paths with mixed underfoot conditions, some pavement sections. Hilly sections, including steep ascent to Cathkin Braes. Good signposting but map recommended just in case!

➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – White Cart Water, Linn Park & waterfall – Holmwood House (just off route to left) – Snuff Mill Bridge – Court Knowe – King’s Park – ascent to Croftside Avenue – Castlemilk Park – Ardencraig Road – ascent to Cathkin Braes Country Park & 192m trig point – 138m trig point to west – Pedmyre – Netherton Braes – Linn Park via east bank of White Cart Water – start. Official route description: 🔗 glasgowramblers.org.uk

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Kingfisher, goosanders, mallards at Linn Park. Highland Cows near Netherton Braes.

Weather: 20°C, patchwork of sunshine, light winds, feeling a little humid.

July 2022