Chatelherault - Green Bridge Trail

Good afternoon from a very cold and windy East Kilbride - Spring what Spring!
For those of you waiting for the walk at Ben An this will follow shortly

In the meantime I want to take you round the Green Bridge trail
There are 6 trails to choose from at Chatelherault, I decided to choose the longest route which is listed as 8km and 3 hrs in reality most people wouldn't take anything like that long. It took me a couple of hrs and that was with numerous stops for photo opportunities. The other trails are 2km & 3.5km

The route follows the Avon river down to Green Bridge, but most of the walk is at the top of the gorge on either side and only briefly on the river itself.

Starting off from in front of the Visitor centre follow the signs left towards green bridge and just keep on following the Riccarton path for about a mile with the golf course on your left, until you reach the turn of for White Bridge, however ignore that path and follow round to the left still towards Green Bridge underneath the electricity pylons.

The path now becomes the Claybank Braes path and continues to edge the golf course on the left and woods on the right. When you start to descend towards the bridge the steps are steep and muddy so take great care on your way down, and avoid being run over by bmx bikers as you go. Once at the bottom you are greeted with a fantastic view up river and the steps to Green Bridge directly ahead. Off to the left is the path to Fairholm Bridge which you can see in the distance. Cross the bridge and take in the views both up and down stream. 

Looking down from the bridge you can see the river bed through the peat tinted water and if you are lucky some of the trout swimming by, it is also a popular fishing spot. Once over the bridge, you turn right up the other side of the gorge, this path is a little steep but soon flattens out again. The gorge and the river are frequented by various wildlife, but not always very visible, but I did come across a rather large piece of funghi.

Carry on until you reach Divoty Glen (A lovely name I thought) and take the path down and back up again and admire the beautiful surroundings. Therafter you reach the turn off for the White Bridge again, but ignore the turn off and continue on towards the Cadzow Oaks which are coming up ahead

The Cadzow Oaks are as old as 500 years and lie just South of the Duke's castle and several sit on a small mound just along the Oaks path. They are an impressive sight to behold although some are clearly not as mighty as they once were. Also along this route there is a carved log (see picture below) which bears the inscription "As soon as we take one thing by itself we find it hitched to everything in the universe"

Just beyond the oaks we come to the Cadzow Castle and Duke's Bridge with the high line of fir trees on either side and the drop down to the river below. Unfortuantely like most histroic buildings the castle is under repair and unsightly scaffolding surrounds most of the walls, however part of the castle can still be seen from the bridge. Once over the bridge the path bears left back up to the Visitor centre and a welcome cup of tea and cake in the cafe.

After your well earned rejuvination it is worth a look at the front of Chatelerhault in all it's spleandour and particluarly the Duke of Hamiltons plaque behind the circlular gate. The building was built over 250 years ago for the Duke of Hamilton as a hunting lodge and summer house, it also offers great views out across Motherwell and the Lanarkshire countryside.

http://www.visitlanarkshire.com/attractions/child-friendly/Chatelherault-Country-Park/