HAMILTON
via
CHATELHERAULT PARK to LARKHALL - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Location:
Lanarkshire
Map: OS Landranger 64
Dlstanoo: 6 miles (10km)
Time: 34 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. 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".
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
via
CHATELHERAULT PARK to LARKHALL - ROUTE DESCRIPTION 2:
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 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.
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.
Chatelherault Country Park
lying just to the south of Hamilton is easily accessible and ideal for
getting away from it all.
This mountain bike route follows a trail through attractive woodland in
the Avon gorge.
An unavoidable large flight of steps will exercise your arms.
From the car park cycle past the excellent visitor centre and continue
downstream for 300m before turning left at a sign for the Cadzow Oaks.
Cross the Duke's Bridge over the Avon Water to soon see the ruins of
Cadzow Castle before reaching the 500-year-old gnarled oaks.
An Iron Age earthen fort can also be seen here.
Continue above the gorge on the Green Bridge, followed by a long ascent
up at flight of steps.
Once completed the return crosses flatter terrain as the path runs
above the gorge and by Riccarton Golf Course.
Follow the signs back to the visitor centre by the imposing
Chatelherault house.
Built more than 250 years ago to a William Adam's design for the Duke
of Hamilton as his hunting lodge, its unusual name is
derived from the French town of Chatellerault as the title Duc de
Chatallerault was bestowed on the nobleman.
:: Chatelherault
Park Gallery 
