The Greenock Cut

fr

Designated as an Ancient Monument, The Greenock Cut is an aqueduct built in the 1820s to supply water from Loch Thom to Greenock. The 11.5km route is full of interesting features which is probably why it has been rated one of the top 50 walks in Scotland! It is an easy walk along surfaced minor roads, gravel tracks and grassy footpaths. You will be rewarded with fantastic views to Greenock, Gourock, the River Clyde and the southern Scottish mountains.

Technical sheet

n°22253487
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 96 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 105 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 251 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 155 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Greenock Cut

Description of the walk

(S/E) Starting from the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre car park, turn left (North East) onto the access road in the direction of Ardgowan Cafe. Continue on this track with the Compensation Reservoir on your right-hand side.

(1) After 800m you will see a weir on your right. Here the track bends left and uphill past Loch Thom Cottage.

Follow the track in a North East direction uphill for approx 700m.

(2) From here the path descends North East with the town of Greenock and the River Clyde coming into view.

(3) Halfway down the hill ignore a track off to the left - continue North East to pass two small reservoirs.

(4) At the bottom of the hill at a path junction turn left (West) onto a narrower gravel path.

(5) After 800m at a crossroads continue ahead (West).

Follow the Greenock Cut trail around the hillside for 6km, keeping the water course and a number of stone bridge-like structures close to your left-hand side at all times.

(6) You will emerge at a minor road - cross over (South East) to pick up the continuation of the Greenock Cut trail on the other side.

(7) Turn left (South East) at a fork 260m along the path.

(8) You will now have the road on your left and the burn on your right and the path runs parallel to these for a further 500m to reach a waterfall.

(9) The path from here leads you out onto the minor road just outside the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre.

Cross straight over (North East) to return to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 182 m - Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX)
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 185 m - Weir
  3. 2 : km 2.04 - alt. 248 m - Path starts to descend
  4. 3 : km 2.63 - alt. 204 m - Ignore path on left
  5. 4 : km 3.57 - alt. 162 m - Left turn onto narrower path
  6. 5 : km 4.44 - alt. 161 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 10.7 - alt. 172 m - Minor road
  8. 7 : km 10.95 - alt. 164 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 11.48 - alt. 175 m - Waterfall
  10. 9 : km 11.57 - alt. 179 m - Minor road outside Visitor Centre
  11. S/E : km 11.62 - alt. 182 m - Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX)

Practical information

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

Transport

  • Car parking available at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX)
  • No public transport to start point

Amenities

  • Greenock Cut Visitor Centre has public toilets, an information centre with Countryside Ranger service, and a tuckshop
  • Ardgowan Fishery has a cafe

Terrain
A mixture of surfaced roads and gravel tracks. Can be boggy at times.

In the nearby area

  • History of the Greenock Cut - more info here
  • Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park - Scotland's Largest Regional Park
  • Loch Thom
  • Compensation Reservoir

Other walks in the area

Walking Shielhill Glen, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Walker
↔2.55 km ↗+44 m ↘-44 m ◔0h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Inverclyde
Family-friendly woodland walk. A haven for many birds and animals this lovely circular offers a chance to walk part of the historic Kelly and Greenock Cuts as well as taking in a semi ancient woodland.

Walking Loch Thom, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Walker
↔8.77 km ↗+59 m ↘-61 m ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Inverclyde
Circumnavigate Inverclyde’s largest loch with fine views across the Parks moorlands and hills. First known as the Great Reservoir or Little Caspian, it was later renamed in honour of the engineer who designed the Greenock Cut, Robert Thom.

Walking Corlic Hill, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Tourism industry professional
Corlic Hill, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
↔9.46 km ↗+149 m ↘-146 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Inverclyde
Good trails take you along to Corlic Hill summit (303 m / 994 ft) on the north-eastern perimeter of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, less than an hour's drive from Glasgow. On a clear day you will enjoy exceptional views down into the Clyde Valley, across to the Cowal Peninsula and over towards the southern Highlands. The return section takes you past the ancient ruins of Burnhead and Glenbrae farmsteads and between the tranquil Gryfe reservoirs. 

Walking Strone Hill

National Park
↔5.78 km ↗+363 m ↘-365 m ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Scotland
Strone Hill overlooks the village of Strone and offers superb views over the Firth of Clyde and its sea lochs. On a clear day, it is possible to see over to Arran, the Arrochar Alps and down the Clyde to Inversnaid Tarbet Glasgow.

Walking Knock Hill Circular from Largs

Tourism industry professional
Knock Hill Circular from Largs
↔12.95 km ↗+256 m ↘-251 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Ayshire
By combining the High and Low route options of the Ayrshire Coastal Path at Largs, you can create this circular route to the top of Knock Hill (268m / 879 ft) and back again. Enjoy panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal Peninsula, southern Highlands, Isle of Cumbrae and Arran, as well as down into the town of Largs itself.

Walking Toward Point and Toward Quay, Cowal Peninsula

Walker
Toward Point and Toward Quay, Cowal Peninsula
↔6.22 km ↗+15 m ↘-15 m ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Argyll and Bute
This walk connects the highlights of Toward on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyle and Bute. It includes a coastal walk, ruins, a lighthouse and small quay. The views along the coast are breath-taking.

Walking Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae

Tourism industry professional
Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae
↔11.21 km ↗+161 m ↘-166 m ◔3h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Ayshire
Starting at the ferry slip on the Isle of Cumbrae, you will head uphill to the Glaid Stone, the island’s highest point, before descending into Millport. From here you walk back via the quiet Ferry Road. Along the way enjoy the views across to the Isle of Bute, Isle of Arran, Little Cumbrae and the hills of Ayrshire. You will pass several small lochs, a mineral well and the Cathedral of the Isles (Britain’s smallest cathedral). Not forgetting the famous Crocodile Rock!

Walking Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill

Tourism industry professional
Largs to Skelmorlie via Knock Hill
↔17.32 km ↗+314 m ↘-309 m ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from North Ayshire
Beginning at Largs Marina this route takes you the length of the promenade before heading inland and uphill across boggy ground towards Knock Hill. From the trig point on a clear day your efforts will be rewarded with beautiful views across the Clyde towards the isles of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran, as well as the Argyll hills and Cowal Peninsula. From here you head for Skelmorlie - the official end point of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, passing the Secret Bunker and Skelmorlie Castle en route. 

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.