The Herald - The Herald Magazine
The walk Hamilton to Larkhall
Location: Lanarkshire Map: OS Landranger 64 Distance: 6 miles (10km) Time: 3-4 hours Terrain: Woodland and riverside paths MUCH of this walk used to be promoted as the Avon Walkway, following the river of that name from its confluence with the Clyde near Hamilton to Larkhall. The promotion seems to have ceased as some of the waymarks are gone and signboards are decaying but it is still a fine walk and well worth doing. The walk links two railway stations, making the return easy. The Larkhall spur line, which also has a station at Chatelherault, provides an excellent service.
Leave Hamilton via the path across South Haugh, which within a few metres has a remarkable air of remoteness about it. The path weaves through a fairly dense cover of trees and shrubs with glimpses of a couple of small lochs along the way. Before long you reach the Avon, near where it tumbles into the Clyde, with an old wooden walkway information board beside the path.
The path beside the river has become part of the extensive cycleway network and is surfaced accordingly. Before long you cross the river on the Old Avon bridge, which leads into Chatelherault Country Park. It is worth pausing here to enjoy the riverside scenery. Being of a somewhat pedantic nature, I can’t help reflecting that River Avon is a bit of tautology, as Avon comes from the Gaelic/Celtic root Abhainn, which means a river, so it is actually River River.
The grand surroundings of Chatelherault soon clear my mind of this nonsense. All of the walk so far, including the extensive country park, was formerly land owned by the Dukes of Hamilton, and Chatelherault itself, despite its rather palatial air, was in fact the estate’s hunting lodge, rather self-deprecatingly described by its designer William Adam as a “dogg kennel”.
The buildings are a short diversion from the walk and include displays and exhibitions and a cafe – check for opening hours across the festive period. The name comes from an estate in France with which the Hamilton family formerly had links. The Dukes of Hamilton also bore the title Duc de Chatellerault.
The walk continues on a good path high above the Avon, which is crossed by the impressive Duke’s Bridge. Shortly after this you pass the rather scant ruins of Cadzow Castle. Not long after that you reach the venerable Cadzow Oaks, some of which are now barely able to support their own weight and are propped up to stop them toppling over. Hamilton
The path is part of an 8km circuit which is very popular with walkers, dogs and increasingly with cyclists, so watch out for these. As the path dips down before recrossing the Avon at the Green Bridge, look out for an information board on the right at the foot of steep steps. You need to take these steps to continue the walk.
At the top of the steps the path flattens out and wanders around for a bit (but is always clear) before diving back to the riverside for the approach to Larkhall. The path leads to Millheugh Bridge where the water racing over a weir makes an attractive picture. You then pass (if you can, my resolve is never strong enough) the Applebank Inn, which is very welcoming despite being said to be haunted.
A final uphill road section takes you to Larkhall Station and the short train ride back to Hamilton.
ROGER SMITH Route: Exit Hamilton Central Station/car park (GR: NS721553) and TR. Walk past shops and cross major road. Continue ahead on Duke St. Cross High Patrick St. At next junction make double crossing and continue down past retirement flats. Pass tennis club and bowling club and at red marker TR on path across South Haugh. Keep L at fork and old Avon Walkway signboard TR on cyclepath beside the Avon. Go under Avon Bridge and in 300m cross Old Avon Bridge into Chatelherault Country Park. Keep R beside river then go uphill with path through woods. Walk down tarmac path to Duke’s Bridge and cross. Follow path high above Avon past Cadzow Oaks for 4km. Watch for steep steps on R by a signboard. Take these steps. Follow path at top as it curves round and eventually go down more steps to riverside. At Millheugh Bridge go L on road past Applebank Inn. At roundabout go R. In 500m go L (sign for station) then in 350m go right to reach Larkhall Station.