Cleughearn Forestry Walk, Whitelee Windfarm

A pleasant walk around one of the quieter areas of forestry within the UK’s largest onshore windfarm. Starting at the parking area just off Ardochrig Road (near Strathaven), you soon find yourself on a mossy track through the trees. In this area it is possible to spot jay, bullfinch, merlin, peregrine, roe deer, and occasionally goldeneye ducks on the ponds.

Technical sheet

24279288
A South Lanarkshire walk posted on 22/07/22 by Gillian's Walks. Last update : 25/07/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.66 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 36 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 31 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 334 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 300 m
Cleughearn Ponds
Cleughearn Forest

Description

(S/E) Start from the small parking area off Ardochrig Road next to the windfarm substation (Google Map pin).

Go through the gate at the end of the parking area and onto the Spine Road.

(1) After passing the power station turn right (West) at the fork, onto the track signposted for Cleughearn Forest. Along this track keep a look out for a small pond where dragonflies can sometimes be spotted!

(2) After 800m turn right (North) onto a narrower track where on a clear day there will be a nice view down towards East Kilbride.

(3) Ignore a path on the right 480m along, continue ahead to reach a clearing in the trees. Here the pleasant track crosses a stream then heads back into the forest.

(4) Continue along this mossy and sometimes muddy footpath until you emerge out onto open moorland with a view across to several wind turbines. Turn left here (South East).

(5) 200m along turn right (South) onto a narrow grassy track which heads across the moorland.

After passing some ponds you will emerge onto Cleughearn Road, a wide gravel windfarm track. Turn left (North East) and follow this road all the way back to the Spine Road.

Turn left (North East) to return to the parking area off Ardochrig Road (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 321 m - Parking area off Ardochrig Road
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 331 m - "Cleughearn Forest" signpost
  3. 2 : km 1.09 - alt. 333 m - Narrower track on right
  4. 3 : km 1.7 - alt. 302 m - Clearing in the trees
  5. 4 : km 2.61 - alt. 314 m - Open moorland with wind turbines all around
  6. 5 : km 2.89 - alt. 315 m - Narrow track to the ponds
  7. S/E : km 4.65 - alt. 322 m - Parking area off Ardochrig Road

Useful Information

For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks

Transport

Terrain
Gravel windfarm tracks, mossy and boggy footpaths, uneven terrain.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • Whitelee Windfarm - the UK’s largest onshore windfarm. Lots of trails suitable for walking and biking. There is also a Countryside Ranger service and a Visitor Centre at the main entrance off the Eaglesham Moor Road, where you will find a cafe and toilets.
  • Wildlife such as dragonflies, jay, bullfinch, merlin, peregrine, roe deer, and occasionally goldeneye ducks on the ponds

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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