Clyde Coastal Path


The Clyde Coastal Path is a long-distance walking route in western Scotland. Opened in 2014, it forms part of the wider Firth o Clyde Rotary Trail and links the Ayrshire Coastal Path with the West Highland Way, creating a continuous route from Scotland’s south-west coast to the Highlands.

Route

The route extends for about 110 km between Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire and the Kelly Burn between Wemyss Bay and Skelmorlie.
It follows a mixture of coastal promenades, estuary paths, and inland moorland tracks along the lower River Clyde corridor.
The path is divided into three main sections:
  1. Section 1 – Wemyss Bay to Greenock: Two route options – a 25 km coastal route or a 20 km moorland route.
  2. Section 2 – Greenock to Erskine Bridge: Approximately 26 km following the Clyde estuary through Port Glasgow and Langbank.
  3. Section 3 – Erskine Bridge to Milngavie: Roughly 14 km via Hardgate and Duntocher, finishing at Milngavie.
A circular walk of about 45 km can be achieved by combining both the high and low routes of Section 1.

Spurs and connections

Two spurs complement the main route:
Including both spurs, the total network length is nearly 110 km.

Development and maintenance

The path was created by members of Rotary International District 1320.
  • The Rotary Club of Gourock maintains the section south of the Erskine Bridge.
  • The Rotary Club of Allander maintains the northern section.
  • The spurs are maintained by the Rotary Clubs of Erskine, Govan, Paisley Callants, and Renfrew.
The launch of the Clyde Coastal Path completed the Firth o Clyde Rotary Trail , which also includes the Mull of Galloway Trail and the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Together these trails form part of the International [Appalachian Trail Scotland] network.

Signage and guidebook

The entire route is sign-posted with directional markers containing QR codes for location information.
A printed guidebook provides full coverage:
  • Cuddihy, Vincent. Clyde Coastal Path – A Guidebook. Edited by Iain R. White. Photographs by Photoscot. Preface by Sally Magnusson. Gourock: Clyde Coastal Path Board. ISBN 978-1845003005. OCLC 1099478973.
The book includes detailed directions, nature notes, and points of historical interest.

Related routes