Discover Clyde Valley Cycle Loop
Introduction
The Clyde Valley cycle loop is an 80-mile tour of rural South Lanarkshire and offers a weekend of leisurely cycling and discovery.
The loop offers an intimate insight into a hidden and often surprising side of Lanarkshire and the Clyde Valley and plenty of time should be set aside to explore the historic towns and villages en route and especially the easily missed points of interest by the roadside.
The route follows mainly quiet roads and cycle-paths although short stretches on A-roads are unavoidable.
The ideal bicycle would be a mountain bike fitted with smooth tyres or a hybrid style bicycle as the road surfaces can be rough in places
Lanark, easily reached by train and only a stone’s throw from the UNESCO World Heritage Site at New Lanark, is the starting point.
From Lanark the loop takes you west by the gentle Douglas valley, south across wide open moors and into the Lowther Hills. It then follows the Clyde north to Biggar before heading east to the head of the Medwin valley in the Pentland Hills. The final section into Lanark follows the very infrequently travelled roads and lanes around Carnwath.
Highlights along the way include the World Heritage Site at New Lanark; the historic village of Douglas; Leadhills and Wanlockhead the highest villages in Scotland which reek of 2 000 years of mining for lead and gold; the lively market town of Biggar; the ancient hamlet of Dunsyre; and Wilsontown – the site of one of Scotland’s first ironworks.
Getting around
Summary directions are attached to the description of each section of the route.
Ordnance survey maps: Landranger series sheets 72 and 71.
Getting to Lanark
RAIL
Two trains an hour leave Glasgow Central (low level) for Lanark. Times of departure vary on a Saturday. On Sundays the service is hourly. Bicycles are carried in the passenger areas so it necessary to avoid rush hour services.
ROAD
From Glasgow: leave the M74 at junction 7, Larkhall and follow the A72 Clyde Valley tourist route for 12 miles to Lanark.
From the south: leave the M74 at junction 12 and then follow the A70 east. Turn left over the Hyndford bridge and continue into Lanark.
From Edinburgh: leave the M8 at junction 6, Newhouse signed for Lanark. Follow the A73 for 15 miles via Newmains and Carluke. Alternatively follow the A70 west out of Edinburgh signed for Lanark and Ayr, via Juniper Green, Balerno and Carnwath. Leave the A70 at Ravenstruther and follow the A743 into Lanark.
Route info