Magnificent 11 Walk
The Magnificent 11 takes people well away from built up areas and traffic, to discover the pleasures of natural woodland, rivers and wildlife. It provides opportunities to experience nature and fresh air, and to maintain healthy walking spaces close to an urban environment.
"We have a great variety of woodlands, formal and informal parks, and other green and open spaces to explore in Glasgow, but unfortunately opportunities to explore them in a linked way are often limited". The Magnificent 11 does exactly this. Catherine Watt from Glasgow Ramblers
Opened in July 2022, this impressive route took over a decade to realise and was developed by the Countryside Ranger for the South of Glasgow, Gary Linstead now retired. Originally coined the Magnificent 7 in reference to the number of greenspaces it visits, the Magnificent 11 now refers to the routes length of 11 miles.
Where is it?
Offering panoramic views down and across Glasgow and north to Ben Lomond.
The Magnificent 11 follows a beautiful new route linking green spaces on the southside of Glasgow. It visits several local nature reserves, two further city parks, two farms, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Glasgow's highest point.
The route is divide up into 4 sections :-
Part 1 and Part 2 link three city parks along riverbanks, across open parkland and through mature woodland. Start in Linn Park and follow the White Cart Water towards the more formal setting of King's Park, then continue to Castlemilk Park with its beautiful natural woodland.
Part 3 rises through a new park in Fernbrae Meadows, just in South Lanarkshire, to Cathkin Braes. This is Glasgow's largest and finest greenspace, with woodland, heath, wild grasslands and bird reserve marshes, plus spectacular views over the city from its highest point. The route continues through woods and fields past Windlaw Marsh.
Part 4 is a green delight, dropping down through conservation farmlands and past Carmunnock into the Cart and Kittoch Valleys woodland by the White Cart Water to return to Linn Park.
All four parts can be completed on their own, with each having ready access to public transport. But walked together, the route offers a truly 'Magnificent 11' miles, Dear green places and takes approximately 4 hours for a fit walker.
Start/Finish - Clarkston Road (B767and), Netherlee or the White bridge, Linn park.
OS NS 579590 What 3 words : honest.hill.record
Alternative starts - Cathcart, Croftfoot, CAstlemilk, Cathkin Braes and Carmunnock
What can I do there?
Be in nature and enjoy it's rewards; ramble, exercise your heart and muscles on some of the steep climb sections, observe nature in Nature Conservation Sites (formerly sites of special scientific interest) and enjoy the views and the company of others or alone.
Take only photographs. Make only memories. Leave only footprints.
Take part on the green gym.
For many years, a hardy collection of community volunteers has helped establish the route including building paths, clearing overgrowth, unblocking drains, installing steps and way markers, organising led walks and creating maps and leaflets. In order to stay accessible the route requires ongoing regular maintenance undertaken by volunteers led by the Glasgow Countryside Rangers and Glasgow Ramblers. If you would like to volunteer contact Glasgow's Southside rangers Tel 0141 287 9001. Or email the snr countryside ranger.
When is it open?
Dawn until dusk. This formal route crosses several private farms and land.
The right to roam or more correctly, right of responsible access was enshrined in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which establishes a statutory public right of access to land and water for recreation and relevant educational activity if exercised responsibility. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code captures what is meant by responsible.
Please exercise your rights responsibly.
Related content
The route's development has been led by Glasgow's Countryside Rangers and Glasgow Ramblers volunteers, but it would not have been possible without the contribution of the 'Friends of' groups for Linn Park, King's Park, Fernbrae Meadows, Castlemilk Park Volunteers and Carmunnock Heritage Society, Carmunnock Community Council and Parklee Farm.
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