Description
The Kilpatrick Hills sit just northwest of Glasgow and are a brilliant spot for a quick escape from the city. Despite being so close to the urban sprawl, once you’re up in the hills it feels surprisingly remote — open moorland, reservoirs, and big views in every direction.
We tackled this one with our friend Alan on a fairly dry but cold day. The chill in the air kept us moving at a good pace, but it was nothing that an extra layer couldn’t handle.
Route
The route itself is short and sweet — under 5km with a modest amount of climbing. It’s a good one if you’re looking for a quick leg-stretcher without committing to a full day out on the hills.
The highlight for us was the views down towards the River Clyde. On a clear day you can see right across the river and beyond, and it’s a reminder of just how close some genuinely scenic countryside is to Glasgow. The hills themselves are open and grassy with a few boggy patches, so decent footwear is worth bringing even on a drier day like we had.
It’s not the most dramatic hike in Scotland by any stretch, but as a quick outing with a mate on a cold afternoon, it was a great way to get some fresh air and stretch the legs.