Renfrewshire

11 miles / 18 km

This walk is a bit of a weird walk. Weird but also very good as it combines some of the best walking roads in the western parts of the Gleniffer Braes. The scenery around Barcraigs Reservoir is great. The walk from the start to this reservoir is a hidden gem and rarely used due to being so remote. Remote but still well worth the effort. This is a very good walk.

Very Hard

There are some pretty short, steep climbs on this walk. There are also some steep descents here. The rest of the walk is unrelenting undulating. This walk deserves this rating. Bring plenty of water and some really good shoes here. Protein bars and/or bananas are an advantage here as this walk will burn a serious amount of calories.

McGill's Bus 904 from Paisley Town Hall 1 time an hour.

Jump off the bus at this roundabout and head up the road to the left and head for the single-track road, Boydstone Road. This road climbs steadily up through an abandoned (??) farm and then around a right turn. The views here are really good.




At the crossroad at the end of this road, take road to the left. This road, Threepwood Road, is really undulating with a couple of short, steep climbs and descents. The road descends down to the dam at the very scenic Kirklegreen Reservoir. This loch is a real gem in these hills and on this walk.



The road now climbs up a small hill to a new crossroad. Take the road to the left as the walk now almost doubles back on itself. Kirklegreen Reservoir can now be observed from the other side on the top of this hill. The road is a bit undulating before the final hill...



The road are now descending down toward the glen at the bottom of Barcraigs Reservoir. This large manmade loch now comes into view...



The road descends through a zig zag bend to the bottom of this dam in this glen. A quaint glen with some houses. This is a quaint, weird glen. At the next crossroad, take the road to the right, up to the dam and past it on the western shores of this loch. The road here is really undulating. The road continues straight ahead at the next crossroad where the road comes up from the Belltree Road.
The road now turns to the right past the end of the loch and then past a very pretty house before it climbs up to the Lugton - Howwood main road. Take this road to the right. After 300 yards/meters, there is a nice viewpoint next to this wall. Stop there for a breath and the views.



At the road signposted Reivoch, take this road up to the left.



Walk through an (abandoned ?) farm and then up a pretty steep hill to another crossroad. This is the final chance to have a look at Barcraigs Reservoir on this walk. This is a great loch and one to cherish. It is much used as an open water swimming training facility. This is perhaps a sport/activity worth taking up ? It is not for me, though.



This road ends up on the Overton Road. Take this road to the left again. The road ends up at a crossroad. This road comes up from Howwood. Take this road to the right up a small climb. The views are really scenic here.
The road ends up at Hartfield Moss Road. At this crossroad, take the road up between the old trees to the left. Please stop for a minute and bow your head in respect at the memory plaque to the left on this road. We shall remember you.
The road takes the walker past a farm and the Hartfield Boarding Kennel before it turns to the left and then right again down the hill towards a new crossroad.
Take the road to the left here up a small climb before the hilltop, which is a good viewpoint.



The road is now dropping down a hill with some brilliant views over Kilbarchan and Johnstone. The road passes a farm here and takes a right turn after a crossroad. Follow this road to the right and down along the hillside to another farm. At the crossroad here, continue on this road straight ahead up a small climb on a right bend. The road passes a nature path before it descends down a zig zag bend towards the first houses at Elderslie. There are now some pavements on the right side of the road.
Continue down this road until the red Royal Mail postbox. Take the Kings Road to the right here down to the main Johnstone - Paisley road. The walk ends at the bus stops across the street.


McGill's Bus 38 to Paisley/Glasgow 6 - 8 times an hour.
(Travellers to Glasgow may want to proceed to the Johnstone train station, which is on the road to the left and then the next right turn down the hill. Trains 4 times an hour).

Enjoy the walk !!