Cycle Routes Around Eaglesham
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CYCLING AROUND EAGLESHAM
Introduction
Eaglesham is an excellent centre for cycle trips particularly in the area towards Strathaven and Darvel. The Whitelee wind farm offers off road opportunities both within the wind farm and for routes crossing the area. It is a pity there is no cycle lane out from Clarkston but once in Eaglesham there is a range of opportunities from short evening trips to a local pub to longer all day expeditions. The countryside is hilly and some routes can be a little challenging but the roads are generally very quiet and the area is ideal for cycling. Routes through the windfarm are on good off road surfaces. During 2011 and 2012 there may be some restriction of access within the windfarm depending on further construction work involving extension of the windfarm to south and east. This list gives some ideas for enjoying the area by bike. Some routes are well signed and following these with a local map alternative trips can be devised. The best map is Ordnance Survey Explorer no 334 though it does not include Windfarm detail yet. OS Landranger 64 [Glasgow] covers the immediate Eaglesham area but some routes extend on to 70 and 71. Whether creating your own route or following one of these suggestions get on your bike and enjoy the countryside. All routes start from Eaglesham cross. Comments or suggestions welcome – Macintyre74@btinternet.com
The Routes
Route 1. Evening trip to Auldhouse Arms.
This is an exploration of the lanes immediately southeast of Eaglesham but has the added attraction of ending up at Auldhouse for a drink or meal. It follows a series of loops around Auldhouse and can be extended or shortened depending on the degree of thirst or hunger. If eating in Auldhouse best to book. The direct route from Eaglesham to Auldhouse is 4 miles. The following suggestion for a round trip is approx 15 miles.
Strathaven direction out of Eaglesham following the left turn ½ mile out of the village. Shortly before the T-junction (2½ mi) turn right into Craigend Rd and follow it round to a sharp right turn uphill (2mi) (signed Strathaven). Take next right after Laigh Cleughearn farm and follow round over cross-roads until T-junction(3mi). Left here and left again at Millwell. Through Leaburn hamlet and then first right which curves round Langlands golf course and up alongside the first hole. Right at the top past the clubhouse and on to Auldhouse. Continue past Auldhouse Arms to return to Eaglesham
Route 2. Auldhouse, Jackton, Waterfoot and Bonnyton.
A trip round Eaglesham’s neighbouring villages.
Head south out of Eaglesham and left following the road to Strathaven. Right at the T-junction [2.5mi] and follow the signs to Auldhouse. Left after entering the village. After double bend in the road left and left again alongside the ever expanding boundary of East Kilbride. Follow the sign right to Jackton then left at the T junction and right shortly after into Hayhill Rd. Left at end of road, under the Glasgow southern Orbital, and first left towards Eaglesham. Where the road forks bear right to Waterfoot, following the signs down across the White Cart to the crossroads. The climb from here is 450ft – alternative route straight back to Eaglesham. Left at the crossroads and then right into Floors Rd [cycle sign Newton Mearns]. Continue to roundabout then left under Southern Orbital and follow sign to Bonnyton. Uphill climb past Bonnyton Moor Farm where Rudolf Hess landed in 1942, and the long 5th hole of Bonnyton golf course. Enjoy the view at the top and then the run back down to Eaglesham.
Route 3. Thorntonhall, Carmunnock, and Kittochside
Another group of local villages and countryside close to Glasgow and East Kilbride.
North – Clarkston direction – from Eaglesham Cross and right down Holehouse Road just before the shops. Cross the ford over the White Cart [may not be passable after heavy rain] then bear right at the first junction and left at T-junction following cycle signs to Thorntonhall. Through the village and cross the roundabout on the A726 – Glasgow direction. Just after the roundabout turn right into Waterside Road. In Carmunnock tirn right into Cathkin Road [opposite Manse Rd]. There is a short cycle lane accessed via Gallowhill Rd on the left. At a z-bend after the cycle lane take the unmarked minor road to the right. After approx 2 miles turn right at T-junction opposite West Rogerton farm. Through Kittochside village and left at T to the roundabout at Kittochside Country Life Museum. Use the pavement to follow the main road and then cycle signs and lights to cross the A726 turning right and then left - signed as cycle route back to Eaglesham. ¼ mile on turn right towards Thorntonhall. In the village turn left out of Braehead Rd into Thornton Rd. This leads under GSO then left and immediately right into Hayhill Rd – right at the end and back into Eaglesham.
Route 4. Back of Ballageich and Humbie Road.
Explores the area between Eaglesham and Newton Mearns with a short off-road section
Up Montgomery St then turn right off Moor Road as you leave the village and follow uphill past Bonnyton Golf Club. Where the road turns sharp right just before the top of the hill go left [worth going to the top for the view across Glasgow first]. The road becomes a track past East Moorhouse farm – straight on, not left – and can be wet.. At the end of the track there is the option of a detour left to the higher of the two dams [Bennan Loch]. Otherwise right and downhill to the T-junction at Eastwood Golf Club. Turn right towards Mearnskirk. At the Southern Orbital roundabout follow the cycle signs for Eaglesham – Titwood Rd, East Titwood farm and right at Humbie Rd.
Route 5. Over the windfarm and back by Auldhouse
This route crosses the highest point of the windfarm, Corse Hill, with excellent views in all directions. It is accessed by a forestry road from Carrot farm.
Head south out of Eaglesham. Don’t take the Strathaven turnoff; bear right where the road forks, and then head uphill for approx 2 miles until just after the road to the National Wind Turbine Centre. Cross the access stile on the left and walk across the field and up the first part of the forestry road – rough in parts and requires some walking. The road winds up through the forest to reach the windfarm at Myres Rd. Left here and then right after ¼ mile on to Spine Rd. The summit at1232ft. is marked by a trig point next to Turbine 103. On a good day there are views across Glasgow as far as Ben More to the north, of Arran west, south to Glen Trool, and east to Tinto hill. Follow the Spine road until 6.7 mile sign. Left here on to Borrow Rd [not well signed]. Downhill and left at T-junction. Borrow Rd passes a quarry. Right immediately before the quarry and follow this track to reach a gate below High Allerstocks farm. Down to Laigh Allerstocks and enjoy the ride back round to a crossroads(2 ½ mi). From here left towards Eaglesham [signed to East Kilbride] – or straight on to extend the trip to Strathaven [ route 6]. The road back is gradually uphill and then down towards Auldhouse. At the T-junction(4mi) turn left and follow signs back to Eaglesham – or via Auldhouse for local refreshment.
An alternative start to this trip avoiding Carrot and the forestry track is by entering the Windfarm at Ardochrig [route 12]. After approx ½ mile go left along Borrow Rd to reach the quarry and road Allerstocks from the opposite direction.
Route 6. Strathaven.
This is an excellent 2 – 3 hour round trip with Strathaven Park a good half way stop – canteen, putting, boating pond etc.
Take the Strathaven direction out of Eaglesham following the sign to left, then right at the T junction 2.5 miles on, right and immediately left uphill at junction after Broxburn kennels. Follow the road round to a right turn after Laigh Cleuchern farm and right again at the next crossroads. Uphill [500ft in all from Eaglesham] then 2.5mi down to crossroads. Left to Strathaven. Another 2.5mi then shortly before main A71 road turn up left. This is relatively ‘blind’ and not signed but is the first left after cross-roads. Then right and either…. …first left and left again to return to Eaglesham, or …straight on into Strathaven, turning left into Letham Rd and Threestanes Rd to reach Strathaven Park To return to Eaglesham continue up Threestanes Rd out of the town, then first left [at a right hand bend]. The road back winds gradually uphill for 3 miles. Turn left at the first farm going downhill [Dykehead] and left again at the next house. Follow this road over the crossroads and retrace back to Eaglesham.
Route 7. Moor Road and Louden Valley.
Exploring the area above Darvel – a fairly strenuous trip.
Head up Montgomery St and over the Moor road – 5.5mi to the A77. Left on to the cycle lane and take the A719 to Galston through Waterside and Moscow. On the road down towards Galston take a track on left signed to Howletburn [at Loudon Castle sign]. Follow for 1mi then right downhill at end of track. Bear left uphill at next junction passing Loudon Mains Country Club. Continue on this road overlooking the valley to a crossroads. Left here and the route is up and down across Mucks Water and Glen water burns. Continue past Feoch farm and then an unsigned left avoiding the descent downhill to Darvel. Pass Highside and Windshields farms to confirm the route. Follow this road for 5mi eventually crossing and following Calder water to reach a crosroads. Left in direction of East Kilbride gradually uphill then down towards Glasgow. Left at the T-junction then follow signs back to Eaglesham.
An alternative route back from Waterside leads through the Windfarm. After the rise coming out of the village take road to left opposite Hareshaw farm. Follow this road for 2.5 mi and bear right past Craigends farm [white house] on to the forestry road. After approx ¾ mi turn left through the Whitelee forest [muddy at times]. This road meets the Windfarm Spine Rd – left for the visitor centre; right to Corse Hill / Carrot / Ardochrig
Route 8. Strathaven – the long route.
An energetic morning or afternoon taking advantage of more quiet roads between Darvel and Strathaven.
Follow route 6 uphill and down to the crossroads. Turn right in the direction of Darvel and left 0.5mi on where the road forks. 3mi further, on a short downhill section, take a left turn immediately before Meikle Hareshaw farm. Then right at T-junction and bear right past Gillhall. Loudon Hill [316metres] is a striking landmark on the right. Turn left and immediately right across the A71 to follow a quiet road back to Strathaven. After 3mi the route goes over a crossroads and left uphill off the B745. Another 4mi then left at T-junction, over the Avon Water and immediately right uphill and down into Strathaven – via Main St [non-traffic], through the square and into Letham Rd and ThreestanesRd to reach the Park. Join route 6 again for the return to Eaglesham.
Route 9. Windfarm Spine Road
A cycle along the length of the windfarm.
Head up Montgomery Stand out of Eaglesham on the B764 Moor road. Enter the windfarm half a mile beyond the visitor centre at the start of Spine Rd. The road is signed along its 11 mile length to the electricity sub station at Ardochrig. Left on reaching the road after the substation and downhill to Auldhouse or Eaglesham.
Route 10. Mearns and Moor
A pleasant evening cycle without much climbing
Towards Glasgow from Eaglesham cross and left into Humbie Rd as you leave the village. Continue under Southern Orbital then left at bottom of hill {Earn water / cycle sign}. Past Titwood farm and right at end of farm road. Follow cycle sign into Mearns Rd and continue to A77. Cycle lane for 2 miles in direction of Kilmarnock, then left on to road signed to ‘Soames fly fishery’. This leads across the moor to B764. Left back to Eaglesham with possible diversion at the Windfarm along the start of Spine Rd and up to the visitor centre
Route 11. Williamwood and Mearns Castle schools
A local trip with short off road section.
Glasgow direction from the Cross and right down Holehouse Rd across the ford. Bear left at the first junction, then left at the T junction down to Waterfoot. Right along Eaglesham Rd until just before Williamwood school. Left up Low Flender Rd. Left at top of road then R after 100yds along track with hedge on left. [the same point can be reached by turning up Flenders Rd rather than continuing to the school]. This track crosses some waste ground near the Golf Academy and comes out on to Waterfoot Rd shortly before Mearns Castle school. Left at the school then first L after 300yds [unsigned]. This road / track leads to Humbie Rd – left and back to Eaglesham. Route 12. Corse Hill
A trip to the highest point of the Windfarm – part of routes 1 and 6.
Cycle out beyond Auldhouse in the direction of Strathaven [route 6]. At the top of the hill enter the windfarm [Ardochrig]. Follow Spine Rd to Corse Hill with trig point next to Turbine 103. Excellent views on a clear day. Retrace back down Spine Rd for 200yds then left along Myers Rd for approx ½ mile. The track back down to Carrot heads downhill through the woods immediately after the road to turbine 114. It is rough in parts. At the bottom of the track follow sign past Carrot on to the road back to Eaglesham. |