Unofficial Cycle Routes - Coatbridge to Strathblane

This route leaves Coatbridge following the course of the Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway, heading north then north west, to join the Strathkelvin Railway Path which links Kirkintilloch to Strathblane.

Start from outside Coatbridge Central Station, across the road from the Sustrans route. Follow the Monkland Canal westwards from the town centre (the first section is infilled but a path follows the course), then on reaching the end on the infilled section, turn right and join the parallel King Street. Turn right into Blair Road, continue past Drumpellier Park and Blairhill Station, then continue straight on at a roundabout into Lomond Road. Turn right after a bit into Wilton Street. Cross a railway bridge and follow this road until you get to a level crossing. Don’t cross the level crossing, but continue straight on along a track. Where the track turns left to go to a house, go straight on along an overgrown path. Go under a railway bridge, continue along the path, to reach Main Street in Glenboig.

Cross the Main Street and carry straight on along a better section of path through a small park, then continue until you come to the end of the path, where it joins Drumcavel Road near the M73 motorway bridge. Go under the motorway and take the first right, Avenuehead Road, after the quarry yard. The path recommences on the left shortly after. Follow the path as it goes under the A80 main road and cross straight over a minor road at Bridgend. The next section of path has two gates on it. Carry along the path, including a narrow section near the river, until you arrive in Lenzie. Cross the road in Lenzie and then take the right fork in the path (the Campsie Branch) which brings you to Kirkintilloch. The path ends at a minor road, Parkview Court; go straight on and rejoin the path at the sports centre swimming baths car park. At the end of the path, turn right into Industry Street. Fork left off this street down a ramp to Waterside Road. Cross the main road and take the path down to the river. Cross the footbridge and carry alongside the river, going up a slight hill, then down some shallow steps. Cross the next footbridge and go under the canal bridge on another bridge which takes you back over the river. Carry on past the sheltered housing and head for the roundabout on the main road.

At the far left of the roundabout there is a path between two shops. Take this path and it goes through to another main road, Glasgow Road. Cross this road and go up the steps onto the recommenced railway path. From here follow the path all the way to Strathblane, remembering to turn left where the path turns left to follow the Blane Valley Railway after crossing the river at Lennoxtown. Also, watch out for the scenery. On arrival at the end of the path in Strathblane, go up the steps on the right and turn left onto the main road (A891). To head to Blanefield turn right at the main junction, onto the A81, or to head along the unofficial cycle routes to Mugdock and Milngavie or Balmore and Kirkintilloch turn left then first right into Dumbrock Road, first left into Old Mugdock Road and go up the hill.