TERRAIN: surfaced footpaths, all flat
Dog-friendly route
Buggy-friendly route
GETTING THERE: The walk starts and ends at Strathclyde Country Park ‘south’ car parks. Closest train stations are in Hamilton (1.5 miles walk – join route at start point), Motherwell (1.2 miles walk – join route at SE corner of loch) and Bellshill (2 miles walk – join route at the ‘sandy beach playground’)
View full route description
From the car park at the southern end of Strathclyde Loch, head towards the loch and then turn left to follow a good footpath around the edge. The loch should be on your right-hand-side.
After approx 1.5 miles at the north end of the loch, you’ll go past a kids play area and across a footbridge. Shortly after the bridge, at a fork in the path, keep left (waypoint 1 on the map).
You will soon reach a 5-way crossroads (waypoint 2 on the map): the path on your left and the one straight ahead both lead to the road – ignore these and take the next one, which passes between two rows of trees (if this was a roundabout it would be the 3rd exit!).
Cross the South Calder Water via the footbridge. At the other side of the bridge keep left then go straight ahead to follow a footpath through the trees (waypoint 3 on the map).
After approx 300m turn right at a path junction (waypoint 4).
After another 300m at a fork keep left (waypoint 5). Strathclyde Loch will be on your right-hand side through the trees.
At another fork (waypoint 6) keep right to continue around the edge of the loch, arriving at the sandy beach playground and car park.
Continue to follow the path closest to the loch for approx 1 mile to reach the car park where your walk started.
WALK REPORT – 22nd July 2024
The day I looped around Strathclyde Loch was whilst biking with my sister, starting at Chatelherault Country Park just to the south. It was a 22 km ride so I thought a bit too long to add as a walk, although I do intend to add a couple of shorter circular walks at Chatelherault at some point so watch this space!
Biking makes it a bit more difficult to take photos, and as a result this lovely wildflower display shown on the cover image is the ONLY one I snapped! It was taken towards the northern edge of the loch – roughly at waypoint 2 on the map (tap the download/follow button to see the waypoints). So beautiful! I definitely need to get myself back to the park soon though on a mission to capture more photos of the trail for this report…..
This is a nice easy route, perfect for a stroll to catch up with friends or for a brisk walk or run. It would also be a brilliant Nordic walk route. The paths are surfaced throughout so no muddy shoe risk, and not much chance of taking a wrong turn either, since you are following the loch at all times.
With a choice of car parks, several kids play areas and picnic benches, as well as a range of water sports in the summer months, Strathclyde Country Park would make a great family day out! Not forgetting the fact that it’s right next to M&Ds theme park…
