Within the Glasgow strath, there are numerous train stations. Glasgow, after all, has the second largest rail network outside London. The train stations I want to highlight here are those at the foots of hills. Glasgow, after all, is a strath.
So here, we have three on the north side of the Clyde and three on the south but there are plenty more. I want to highlight these because for those of us living in the city, it might be a little easier to train it through the city to its edge before getting on the bicycle and hiking it into the hills. For me, living in Cessnock, the train provides me with a wonderful catapult aspect that fires me and my metal hoss just that little bit further out.
At any rate, the train stations to nowhere...
First, there is Barrhead station which as soon as you exit you see the upwardly sloping Gateside Road. This is all you need to know to get into the Ferenese Hills, the Lochliboside Hills and the Gleniffer Braes. The Gateside Road (contrary to the Calside-Stanely-Gleniffer-Seargantlaw Roads up from Paisley Canal station) is wonderfully quiet and bucolic.
Second, there is Neilston station, the oldest railway line in Glasgow, which deposits you at the foot of Neilston Pad, Duncarnock Mount and the gently rolling hills to the south of Glasgow.
Third, there is Newton station, which is a wonderful access point for Dechmont Hill above Cambuslang, the Cathkin Brase and the quiet pastoral roads between East Kilbride and Glasgow.
Fourth, there is Thorntonhall station on the East Kilbride line, a wonderfully countryside station that is literally in full country (although property developers are slowly putting the kaibosh on this). Here, we have beautiful access to Eaglesham and the hills above it and Newton Mearns.
Fifth, on the north side of the river, there is Croy station which gives us Croy and Barr Hill right next to it and superb views from both. A little further on the bike from Croy, we can cycle down to Kilsyth and up the Tak Ma Doon road into the Campsies.
Sixth, Milngavie station gives us access to Mugdock Country Park and its hills, and beyond to the Campsie Fells.
Seventh, there is Kilpatrick station right at the foot of the Kilpatrick Braes.
Only a moron would take a car.
