This
walk is a circular walk into the Drumclog Woods above Milngavie of about 4 miles and 2 hours
duration.
The walk follows the West Highland Way
( WHW ) sign from the obelisk in Milngavie Town Centre and shortly
continues along the side of the Allander Water.
After it passes the iron bridge on the left it leaves the river bank at
the next junction. Still on the WHW it climbs uphill and
at the top of the hill on looking back the Kilpatrick
Hills can be seen above Craigton.
Very soon after turning left, the walk leaves the WHW on the right onto an unsigned
narrow path ( before the signed path ) and climbs uphill between a wood
of small birch trees. Sometimes deer can be spotted here
in the woods or the surrounding area.
The path swings round left into a delightful piece of open country with
views over to High Craigton. It then swings right to pass by some gorse
bushes before turning left and crossing over a short stretch of
marshy ground which leads into Drumclog Moor Car Park.
The walk continues straight ahead and enters the wood at the far end of
the Car Park. It is a popular area for dog walkers and although rather
muddy at first and no signage in the wood the paths do lead to traceable
exit points. At the time of writing to avoid the worst of the muddy
section, it is best to take the path on the right, then sharp left over
a tree branch and
on as firm ground as possible continue forward between the small trees
and under a hanging tree branch. Look out for the tree log ahead where
the
path turns left and then swings round a fallen tree on the right.
The wood has now become less dense and the path condition has greatly
improved to a well trodden grass path.
It joins a path on the left and shortly after stepping over another
tree branch a hidden path appears on the right with an open view to a
broken wall and the hillside beyond up to Mugdock Village. The path to
the wall
offers an alternative route forward as it eventually climbs uphill to
join up with the continuation of the existing path. ( Passing through
the wall into
the Mugdock woods is also a possible extension to this walk. )
After the path junction, the open view soon changes as the path turns
left and then sharp right to enter another stretch of the wood.
At the cross path it goes straight ahead and then skirts round a muddy
path section on the left. It ignores the path on the right as it starts
to descend and takes the next path on the right which swings round and
finally drops down to exit the wood and onto the WHW.
Turning left the walk returns along the WHW and passes by the
sign for Milngavie Golf Club. At the next junction the walk can either
continue along the WHW
back to the start or turn right and temporary leave the WHW.
For the alternative walk turns left at the Allander Water and walk along the
river bank before rejoining the WHW and heading back to
the start.