Local

Winter Walks in Glasgow

By CGordon 05 Nov 2023

It might be getting chilly out there but it's still important to get outside for some fresh air and to stretch your legs. Glasgow is a beautiful city to explore, rain or shine, so here are some suggestions of where to wander for your next walk.

Glasgow's parks

We're lucky to have lots of gorgeous green spaces to walk around in Glasgow:

Near to the campus and halls

Kelvingrove Park is right by the campus and looks just as phenomenal in the snow as it does in the sunshine. We're also close to the Botanic Gardens, which has a glasshouse to escape from the cold.

You can also wander along to the Garscube Campus, which is home to Wolfson Hall, the vet school and the sports complex. If you're a Murano resident, Ruchill Park across the road is lovely for an afternoon stroll. Try and see if you can spot all of the disc golf holes!

Heading west

Victoria Park has a stunning nature walk and fossil grove to visit, but we think the best feature is the pond that takes up a good chunk of the park.

In the south side

The south side has so much to offer; Queen's Park, Linn Park, and Bellahouston Park are all worth a visit, but our favourite place to go is Pollok Country Park where you'll find super cute highland cows and the Edwardian Pollok Country House.

Near to the city centre and east

For stunning views over the city, Glasgow Necropolis is a brilliant place to visit right next to the Glasgow's historic cathedral. We'd also recommend visiting Glasgow Green, home of the city’s social history museum the People’s Palace, as well as Alexandra Park.

Further north

Last but not least is Hogganfield Park. The best part about this park is Hogganfield Loch, still within the city of Glasgow! The views onto the loch are stunning and offer incredible photo opportunities.

We have more articles about exploring Glasgow's parks here!

Other walks and locations

If parks aren't your thing or you fancy something a little different you could also explore the Forth and Clyde Canal, or take a wander down the River Clyde and take in the views from the Riverside Museum, Glasgow Science Centre and tower, the Finnieston Crane, the Clyde Arc (or the Squinty Bridge as some call it) and more.

Glasgow is also home to some well known film locations that you could factor into your walks.

Thinking of going further afield?

Scotland is full of wonderful places to visit. You can hop on a train or bus for the day and see:

Remember to dress for the weather, including sturdy footwear, and prepare for Scotland's changing weather conditions. It's a good idea to take a fully charged phone with you and download the SafeZone app, which puts you in touch with campus security just in case you ever need help. The sun can set quite early here in the winter months, so plan your walk accordingly so you're home for a lovely warm hot chocolate before it gets too cold and dark.