Unofficial Cycle Routes - Glasgow to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

This route starts from George Square in Glasgow and heads out through Sighthill and Robroyston into the countryside, passing through Auchinloch en route to Cumbernauld, Twechar and Kilsyth. From Cumbernauld it is possible to return to Glasgow along the Glasgow City Council cycle route and from Twechar it is possible to return to Glasgow along the Forth & Clyde Canal. See also the unofficial cycle route to Bishopbriggs which shares the first part of this route and the link from the West End via Woodside. The route also links with the unofficial cycle route from Twechar, through Mollinsburn to Coatbridge and Drumpellier Country Park.

From George Square head up North Hanover Street past Glasgow Queen Street Station. Believe it or not, it used to be illegal to cycle up this section of North Hanover Street. However, persistant campaigning by local cycle group Go Bike got the bus lane rules changed here. Carry on up North Hanover Street, passing Buchanan Bus Station, until it becomes Kyle Street. Where the main road turns right into Baird Street, carry straight on, and go up the ramp onto the footbridge over the M8 motorway.

From here you can turn right for the Glasgow City Council Glasgow to Cumbernauld cycle route, turn left for the unofficial cycle route to Woodside and the West End or fork right for Sighthill. Taking the last option, go over the hill and then cross the footbridge over Pinkston Road. Follow the main path through Sighthill, passing between the Pinkston and Fountainwell High Flats, until you reach the Springburn Expressway. Cross the expressway at the traffic signals and do a quick right and left after the crossing to take the path straight across St Rollox Retail Park. Follow this path until its end and turn left into Turner Road, in front of the Royal Mail depot. Bear right at the roundabout and follow the cycle lanes out of the retail park, then turn right at the top of the hill into Petershill Road.

Pass Barnhill Station and carry on until the main road turns left into Red Road. The Red Road High Flats are the highest in Glasgow. At the top of this road, turn left into Broomfield Road. Continue as cycle lanes commence. Turn right into Wallacewell Road, where there are also cycle lanes. Continue right to the far end of this road and turn right at the mini-roundabout. Turn right onto the main Standburn Road, but turn left immediately onto a path leading up to some houses. Turn left again onto a path around the houses. Follow this around to the right, then turn left across a bridge across a burn. Turn right after the bridge onto another path past some more houses. At the end of the path, turn right onto the road, then fork left at the small roundabout to leave the housing scheme. Cross over the main Robroyston Road at a larger roundabout. Go straight on at one last roundabout then this road leads out into the country. Fork right at Wallace’s Well into Langmuirhead Road and follow this road through Auchinloch to the end of the road.

Turn right at the T-junction then turn immediately left into Burnbrae Road, passing through Easter Auchinloch. Follow this road straight on at the crossroads with the B757. The Strathkelvin Railway Path crosses the road at the bottom of a hill, then turn right at the next junction. Head eastwards for a bit until the main road turns left, then turn right at the next junction. Cross the river and then turn right. On reaching the main road there is a choice. You can go to Cumbernauld either by turning right towards Mollinsburn (where you can pick up the North Lanarkshire Council Glasgow to Cumbernauld cycle route) or by turning left then first right to go via Westfield. For Twechar turn left. At the B8048 junction turn left, cross the railway bridge and then immediately turn right. This busy but narrow road leads to Twechar. Carry along it to reach the Forth & Clyde Canal where left is for Kirkintilloch and Glasgow and right takes you towards Falkirk.

To continue to Kilsyth, cross the canal and turn right onto the main B8023 road. Take the first left, and after a short distance along this road, you will see a sign for a footpath to Kilsyth on the right. Take this path, negotiating the access control, and follow it to Kilsyth. The first section of the path is narrow and muddy, but the rest has been upgraded. At the main path junction, fork left for Kilsyth town centre. On arrival in Kilsyth, go past the school, and turn left at the narrow bridge next to the church. This route avoids a flight of steps at the main road bridge. Follow the path on the left and turn right onto a road in an industrial estate. This road leads to the B802 in the centre of Kilsyth. Alternatively, if you mind steps less than traffic, continue along the riverside path and pass under the main road bridge, where there are three steps down and three steps back up, to reach the town centre.