Location: South
Lanarkshire
Map: OS
Landranger 64 or Explorer 334
Distance: 8
miles / 14km
Time: 4-5 hours
Terrain:
Riverside paths and boardwalk
The main feature of
Calderglen Country
Park on the outskirts of East Kilbride is an
attractive gorge carved out by the
Rotten Calder river.
The network of
paths in the park naturally
concentrates on this gorge, but it's extended at
either end and by following the
southern extension you can walk to the
village of Aulclhouse. Prom the park centre
( which includes
a small zoo where the meerkats are a star
attraction ) follow the path high
above the river. The sides of the gorge
are cut by ferny recesses sparkling
with water at this time of year.
Take care with children and dogs here as
there are steep drops to the river.
At a junction
keep straight ahead ( signpost for
Auldhouse ) and continue with the path, with
the river below and Torrance House
golf course to the right.
There are many mature trees - and looking back
these frame the gorge very prettily.
In time the path
passes under two road bridges ( one
of them defunct ) and the character of
the river changes totally, becoming a
meandering stream with no
hint of its turbulent nature further down.
The path winds around many bends
before finally arriving at a road.
The next section
of the walk is across Langlands
Moss, a fine example of a raised bog,
almost unique in this part of Scotland.
A solid boardwalk has been constructed
across the Moss
and excellent interpretation is provided regarding
the special plants found here. Once across the
Moss, the path leads back into more
woodland then exits to a minor
road for the final short walk to
Auldhouse.
The village has a vigorous
community who fought a notable battle not
just to keep their primary school
but to get new buildings for it too.
Walk to the
Auldhouse Inn, a bar and restaurant
that’s well worth a stop. A possible onward
loop offers
views of the countryside ( and the Whitelees
windfarm ) and returns to the Rotten
Calder for the walk back to
Calderglen.
Route:
From the Country Park car park walk past the
conservatory and continue across grass to
start of Nature Trail.
TR and stay on
higher path.
Keep R at fork and follow path by
river for 2km to road.
Cross road, TR
and in 100m TL on path.
TL on boardwalk
across LangtandsMoss.
TL on track then follow road to Aufdhouse.
Return by same route
or for
longer walk,
TL from Auldhouse, at T-junction TL
and at
next junction also TL past
Langlands golf course.
Pass junction
and in 250m pick up outward route on R.
