Renfrewshire

8 miles / 12 km

Yes, there are only 2 miles / 3 km between Kilbarchan and Johnstone. The hills above Kilbarchan in the direction of Lochwinnoch is very good though and perfect for a winter walk (this is when I did it). This is still a great all-year walk with some great views and scenery. This is a recommended walk.

Pretty Hard

This is a long undulated walk with the final one/third of the walk being flat. There are some good climbs in the beginning. None of them are serious climbs. Good shoes and plenty of water are required.

McGill's Bus 38 from Glasgow/Paisley to Kilbarcan 3 times an hour.(early morning/late afternoons only)
McGill's Bus 32 from Johnstone to Kilbarchan 2 times an hour.

Jump off the bus at Kilbarchan's village square, just before the Weaver's Cottage. Go up to this cottage and past it on the climb out of this lovely village. Just after the road passes some farm fields, there is a road signposted with a horses-warning sign going off to the left. Take this road to the left, Forehouse Road.
Continue on this tarmac road up and into the hills for the next 2 miles/ 3 km or so.



At the next crossroad, with a farm straight ahead, take the road to the left again. This road leads towards a bridge and a steep climb.



The hills above Lochwinnoch and Bridge Of Weir now come into view and they are really cool.


The road are cresting a hill after this steep climb and then descends down to a new crossroad. Take this road to the left. After 25 yards/meters, take the next road to the right.



The road now descends down to the Howwood - Lochwinnoch main road. Follow this road over a bridge over the Paisley - Lochwinnoch path down to road to the left, signposted Kilbarchan. This road climbs a bit before it becomes flat past a farm and then descends again. Follow this road for about 2 miles / 3 km until it goes down into a dip with a small hill climb ahead. Take the road, Tandlehill Road, down to the right. This road takes you to the lower Kilbarchan and the bridge over the motorway there.

Cross the motorway on the bridge here and then the river on a pedestrian bridge. At the roundabout here, head for the road to the left past some dilapidated looking industrial buildings to the left. Follow this road on the pavements and cross the road onto a better path just after the climb up a small hill. This path takes you all the 1 mile/ 2 km to a set of traffic lights. Take the Quarry Street down to the right and then the next street after 100 yards/meters to the left, Church Street. That road ends up at Houston Square and the bus stops there where this walk ends.

McGill's Bus 38 from Houston Square to Johnstone train station/Paisley/Glasgow 4 - 6 times an hour.