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.
Calculated time: 3h35[?] 
Distance : 11.62km
Vertical gain : 94m
Vertical drop : 95m
Highest point : 252m
Lowest point : 153m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Inverclyde
Starting point : N 55.910257° / W 4.806121° 
(D/A) 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 (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 182m - Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX)
1 : km 0.79 - alt. 186m - Weir
2 : km 2.04 - alt. 250m - Path starts to descend
3 : km 2.63 - alt. 204m - Ignore path on left
4 : km 3.57 - alt. 162m - Left turn onto narrower path
5 : km 4.44 - alt. 160m - Crossroads
6 : km 10.7 - alt. 173m - Minor road
7 : km 10.95 - alt. 167m - Fork
8 : km 11.48 - alt. 177m - Waterfall
9 : km 11.57 - alt. 180m - Minor road outside Visitor Centre
D/A : km 11.62 - alt. 182m - Greenock Cut Visitor Centre (PA16 9LX)
For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks
Transport
Amenities
Terrain
A mixture of surfaced roads and gravel tracks. Can be boggy at times.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
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+131m
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3h05
Moderate
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2h45
Moderate
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12.95km
+244m
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4h25
Moderate
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6.22km
+15m
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1h50
Easy
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11.21km
+162m
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3h40
Easy
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16.83km
+302m
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5h40
Moderate
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7.9km
+31m
-40m
2h20
Easy
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7.67km
+180m
-183m
2h40
Moderate
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
