Rich in interest and things to see, on the walk from Cumbernauld to Palacerigg Country Park – stunning views open up northwards to the Campsies and beyond to the Southern Highlands. Look for wildlife including populations of badger, fox, roe deer, sparrowhawk, kestrel and long and short eared owls at Palacerigg Country Park
An area of birch and alder woodland close to the centre of Cumbernauld. Look out for water voles, kingfishers and even otters. Come in the spring for bluebell displays.
The visitor centre offers an introduction to the park’s wildlife. The café will reopen shortly under new management.
This is an expanse of valuable raised bog. Up to 12 metres deep and laid down over thousands of years, the bogs are rich in wildlife. You can spot sphagnum moss, grouse, and dragonflies.
These are firebrick clay mines and although they closed more than 50 years ago, evidence of their existence remains. Half-hidden by the advance of nature, it is possible to spy the entrances to the mines and the cables that pulled the wagons.
Note: Towards the end of the route, look out for evidence of the old Glencryan clay mines. Palacerigg Country Park: 01236 720047. northlanarkshire.gov.uk
At Greenfaulds station cross the bridge and head east towards Lenziemill Road.
Turn left and head north on Lenziemill road.
After 200m, cross the road and enter the Luggiebank Wood wildlife reserve via the path.
After 150m take a path to the left up a steep but very short hill. Follow a gravel path through the woodland then follow Luggie Water upstream.
The path then goes under a bridge and climbs to a road. Emerge from the reserve at a narrow lane closed to traffic.
Turn left and follow the lane uphill until it meets Lenziemill Road. Cross to the pavement and walk 150m until you spot a minor road heading eastward.
Cross the road and walk up the minor road on the left-hand side pavement.
After about one mile, look out for a road on the left, near the top of the hill signed “Country Park service vehicles only”. Turn left to follow the service road.
Continue past a footpath for Glencryan Woodlands to the park’s café and play park.
Walk past the park buildings and turn right and the right again so that you are now on the other side of the buildings.
Walk along the road towards the car park. Look out for a sign on the left-hand side of the road that says “Badger Trail”.
Cross the road and take the path indicated by the badger trail. Follow the signs for the badger trail.
Follow the signs for the badger trail until you reach the entrance. You can either enter the badger trail or continue straight on. Either will take you the correct way but the badger trail is a slightly longer but scenic route.
Once you reach the end of the badger trail, there is a sign indicating turn left for the visitors’ centre. You can either return to the centre or turn right and continue on to Fannyside Loch.
After a few hundred metres take the left turn and continue onwards.
Within half a mile you will spot Fannyside loch. Look out for a trail on your right-hand side that heads towards the loch.
Take the trail and keep left at any turnings. You will return to the main path.
Continue along the path until you reach a crossroads. You can either return to the visitor centre by going straight across the golf course or turn right to head back to the train station.
Turn right and follow the path. Keep walking straight on at any crossroads. The walk is now mostly downhill.
After a couple of miles, you will reach a small car park next to the B8084.
You can now return to the start of the walk by turning left and walking back along this road or you can cross the road and walk a short distance to Cumbernauld Railway station.
