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If you plan an extended stay before or after the conference and if you are into outdoor pursuits, the area in and around Glasgow boasts a huge range of opportunities. There are easy walk and cycling routes in the City's many parks; Pollok park even includes mountain bike trails. Elsewhere, the Forth-Clyde Canal, River Kelvin Walkway and River Clyde Walkway offer longer walks, runs and cycles. Further afield the more adventurous can attempt more challenging hillwalks, mountain scrambles and truly world-class mountain biking routes.
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Walking For those looking for a pleasant stroll or somewhere for a quick run there are several large parks within easy reach of the University Glasgow Green, Queen's Park, Kelvingrove Park (home of Kelvingrove museum) and Pollok Park (home to Pollok House and the renowned Burrell Collection). The city has a number of longer distance walkways offering a range of walks from short strolls through to day long expeditions. The Kelvin Walkway offers a scenic 14km route through Glasgow's west end, while the Clyde Walkway offers a 65km walk/cycle all the way from the City Centre all the way to the Falls of Clyde at Lanark. For the very adventurous, the West Highland Way is a 152 km route beginning at Milgavnie and ending at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Cycling and Mountain Biking The Forth-Clyde Canal and Union Canal offer flat, traffic-free cycle routes from the centre of Glasgow through to the Falkirk Wheel and onwards to Edinburgh. There are a huge range of mountain bike routes available. Locally, there is the Glasgow Mountain Bike Circuit in Pollok Park. Further afield there are the world-class Glentress Trails (one of the 7 Stanes routes) or try out the Aonach Mor route, which is used annually for the Mountain Bike World Championships. Hillwalking and Mountaineering The Scottish Highlands are within easy reach of Glasgow and the University, offer the best scenery and the best walking and climbing in the UK. Ben Lomond is the most Southerly "Munro" (a mountain over 3,000 ft) and in good weather its ascent offers spectacular views of Loch Lomond. The nearby Arrochar Alps offer longer treks along with climbing opportunities on "the Cobbler". Glen Coe is the home of Scottish Mountaineering and provides tough, spectacular walking and scrambling on routes such as the Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge on Buchaille Etive Mor. Ben Nevis is the UK's highest mountain with challenging climbing routes and a tough "tourist" path to the summit. Finally the Cuillin on Skye offer the most challenging mountaineering in the UK. All of these locations can be reached by bus from Buchanan St. Bus Station or train from Queen St. station. |    |