The Falls of Clyde, New Lanark

Best experienced after a period of sustained rainfall, this section of the River Clyde is pretty spectacular. Starting in the historical village of New Lanark, the track forms the last section of the Clyde Walkway and is basically a woodland walk with viewpoints to the waterfalls along the river, the most photographed of these being Corra Linn which plunges down 26m over the rocks!

Technical sheet

n°23412909
A South Lanarkshire walk posted on 28/06/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 29/09/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.92 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 119 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 125 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 181 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 116 m
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Lower Falls of Clyde
Corra Linn

Description

Start : New Lanark World Heritage Site car park (ML11 9DB). Grid Ref. NS 88033 42567

(S/E) From the main car park for the New Lanark World Heritage Site, follow a footpath leading downhill past an information board.

At the bottom of the hill turn left (South East) to reach New Lanark Road. You will start to see badger signs saying “Follow me to the Falls of Clyde”.

(1) Turn left (South East) along New Lanark Road for 100m, past the war memorial and a red phone box and then turn right (South West), through some gates and down some steps then across a footbridge, arriving in front of the entrance to the cafe.

(2) Turn left (South East), passing a picnic area. When you reach Robert Owen's School keep left at a fork and follow the path along past an office building.

(3) Go through a gap in the wall and into the woods. Choose the paths closest to the River Clyde, following the boardwalk and stopping off at several viewpoints along the way to admire the waterfalls.

(4) After approx 700m you will arrive at the buildings and pipes which form Corra Linn Substation. Keep right (South) at a fork to head back into the woods and up some steps.

(5) Continue to follow the trails closest to the River Clyde, gently uphill for the next 1.5km to reach Bonnington Linn Weir. Along the way you will experience several sets of steps and a number of viewpoints just off the path, including the most popular one overlooking the spectacular Corra Linn waterfall.

(6) From Bonnington Linn Weir, retrace your steps back to the main car park for the New Lanark World Heritage Site (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 166 m - New Lanark World Heritage Site car park (ML11 9DB)
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 116 m - Cafe entrance
  3. 2 : km 0.56 - alt. 118 m - Fork at Robert Owen's School
  4. 3 : km 0.66 - alt. 124 m - Gap in wall
  5. 4 : km 1.41 - alt. 126 m - Fork at Corra Linn Substation
  6. 5 : km 1.59 - alt. 141 m - Corra Linn Waterfall viewpoint
  7. 6 : km 2.95 - alt. 181 m - Bonnington Linn Weir
  8. S/E : km 5.92 - alt. 166 m - New Lanark World Heritage Site car park (ML11 9DB)

Useful Information

Transport

  • Car parking available at New Lanark World Heritage Site (ML11 9DB)
  • Closest train station is in Lanark, 2.7km away (there is a bus service from Lanark to New Lanark)

Terrain
Mainly woodland paths, one long section of boardwalk and lots of steps. There are some steep hilly sections.

For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site - a former mill-workers village in the 1800s, it has been restored as a living community and features a Visitor Centre, Cafe, the Annie McLeod Experience, Robert Owen's School and more. A great family day out. There are picnic benches and a play park.
  • The Falls of Clyde - made up of Bonnington Linn, Corra Linn, Dundaff Linn, and Stonebyres Linn
  • Corra Linn waterfall - the largest waterfall in Britain by volume of water
  • Corra Linn Substation
  • Bonnington Linn Weir
  • River Clyde
  • Clyde Walkway - a 65km long-distance walking route which follows the path of the River Clyde between Partick (Glasgow) and New Lanark. One of Scotland's Great Trails.

Other walks in the area

Walking Falls of Clyde Circular Walk

Professional from the tourism industry
Falls of Clyde Circular Walk
↔11.27 km ↗+218 m ↘-224 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from South Lanarkshire

Starting in the historic village of New Lanark, follow the Clyde Walkway through the woods, stopping at several viewpoints to see the spectacular waterfalls along the river. The return route brings you down the opposite bank of the river and into Kirkfieldbank, then through Castlebank Park.

Walking Tinto Hill

Professional from the tourism industry
Tinto Hill
↔6.79 km ↗+477 m ↘-477 m ◔3h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from South Lanarkshire

A good one if you are new to hill walking thanks to the well-trodden footpath from start to finish. Lovely views of Lanarkshire and beyond on a clear day! Tinto summit is at 711m / 2332ft so a serious hill walk.

Walking River Clyde walkway from Cardies Bridge

Walker
River Clyde walkway from Cardies Bridge
↔15.66 km ↗+212 m ↘-210 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from South Lanarkshire

Walk part of River Clyde walkway from Cardies Bridge.

Walking Shotts to Redmill Cottages - Blackburn, River Almond

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↔16.95 km ↗+97 m ↘-150 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Lanarkshire

First leg of a 4-part walk down the full length of the valley of the River Almond. This walks is part of the Edinburgh’s five rivers: Source to Sea collection.

Walking River Almond, source to Sea

Walker
↔58.79 km ↗+264 m ↘-448 m ◔4 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Lanarkshire

This walk is composed of 4 stages from Scotts to Cramond and is part of the Edinburgh’s five rivers: Source to Sea project.

Walking Lothian-90 Walk

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↔124.90 km ↗+696 m ↘-874 m ◔9 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Lanarkshire

A 90 mile walk (in nine sections) across West, Mid and East Lothian. The full traverse has been designed as a quiet, scenic route along quiet footpaths and lanes, with a minimal amount of roadside walking. All sections are easily reached by public transport.

Walking Harthill to Addiewell, Lothian

Walker
↔18.72 km ↗+124 m ↘-109 m ◔5h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Lanarkshire

First leg of a 90-mile walk (in 9 stages) across the whole of the Lothians, using quiet footpaths, country parks, disused railway lines, river banks, tracks and the occasional minor road.

Walking Addiewell to Mid-Calder, Lothian

Walker
↔14.97 km ↗+24 m ↘-115 m ◔4h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from West Lothian

Second leg of a 90-mile walk across the whole of the Lothians, using quiet footpaths, country parks, disused railway lines, river banks, tracks and the occasional minor road.

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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