Unofficial Cycle Routes - Coatbridge to Baillieston

This route starts by using a former cycle route. When the section of cycle route from Coatbridge to Glasgow was being built, Sustrans came up with a temporary route through the west of Coatbridge to Kirkwood, to deputise whilst the permanent route was being built. However, the temporary route was better than the current route. Beyond Kirkwood, some lightly used roads are followed to connect with Baillieston.

From opposite Coatbridge Central Station, follow the signed route south then west under a railway bridge. Follow this path alongside the demolished warehouse and cross over Dundyvan Road on the bridge next to the railway bridge. Then, when the Sustrans route turns left to go down a ramp onto Dundyvan Road, go straight on along the path. Go under a railway bridge, cross a minor industrial road and a new housing estate road, then, when you get into a park, turn right and exit the park into a minor street. Go straight on at the minor cross roads along Nelson Avenue, then take the next left turn into Cuparhead Avenue. Follow this road down to the main road, Woodside Street. Go left then right into Mitchell Street. Follow this road until you get to Kirkwood Sports Barn on the right. Go into the park at the sports barn and rejoin the Sustrans route.

Cross to the west side of the pitches and go down the ramp to the main road (A752). Instead of proceeding south with the signed cycle route, cross the A752 and go westwards along the minor road directly opposite the foot of the ramp, Bredisholm Road. This road curves to the right, then comes to one end of Bargeddie Station. Turn left onto the housing scheme road, Rosebank Terrace, then turn first left after some shops into the road with the "No Through Road" sign (Bredisholm Road again) that heads towards the A8. Cross the A8 bridge and turn right, following this road towards the M73 motorway. Watch out for the cattle grid across one side of the road after a railway bridge, then cross over the motorway on the bridge provided and head straight on towards Glasgow. When the road gets near the railway line again, there is a split with the main track going left towards a farmhouse and a path forking right. Take this right fork, lift your bike over the gate (the gap left for pedestrians is just too narrow for bikes), and cross the railway bridge.

Once over the bridge, turn left and follow this minor road out into the housing estate. Turn left onto Bracadale Road, and then right at the end into Station Road. Turning right into Muirhead Road, and left at the end into Church Street, would take you up to Baillieston Main Street (A89), however, a quieter, but slightly longer route to Barrachnie Cross can be had by turning left. Just before the railway line turn right then immediately left into Caledonia Road. Pass Baillieston Station and carry straight on when the main road turns right. Go straight on at the road closure and the road becomes Gargrave Avenue. Follow this road up to its end and turn right into Mount Vernon Avenue. This takes you out at Barrachnie Cross. Turn left for Glasgow along the A89.