Olders two

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Review of Slow Way Olders 2 (Old Kilpatrick to ErskineTwo)
I walked this route on a cloudy/sunny day in late August 2023. Once again I was accompanied by a fellow Slow Ways enthusiast and enjoyed chatting about all things Slow Ways (and other topics) as we went along. The route leaves Old Kilpatrick by a fairly complicated sequence of pavements and paths (the map of the route is essential here) but quickly reaches the dual footpath and cyclepath crossing the Erskine Bridge. The crossing is fairly dull with constant traffic noise and a few sections where care must be taken because of diversions onto the cycle lane. However the views back up the Clyde to Glasgow and beyond are ample compensation. Once the end of the bridge is reached, the route heads along the pavement and enters the local nature reserve of Boden Boo. The surface here is a mixture of tarmac and compressed earth, with some narrow sections which may become muddy and difficult after rain. However there is an adjacent road leading to a small car park which could be used as an alternative. The route surface improves a short while later and is (mostly) very good along the edge of the Clyde and up into Erskine. Overall a very good route, clearly mapped, easy to follow and with a lot to interest the observant traveller along the way. There are facilities at the garden centre at the south end of the bridge.

The access from Old Kilpatrick to the bridge was more straightforward than it looked on the map, and was step-free. Crossing Erskine Bridge was safe as there was a decent barrier between the motor vehicles and the cycle lane, and another smaller barrier between the cycle and the pedestrian lanes. There were three short sections where the pedestrian lane was closed for repairs and we had to use the cycle lane, but these were temporary and not a problem.
The continuous noise of traffic was tedious, but having company helped a lot. However there were wonderful views towards Glasgow from up there! I suspect the views towards Dumbarton and the hills would have been even better if we’d been able to use the opposite footpath over the bridge.
There is a garden centre at the south end of the bridge, which has toilets and a café.
Shortly after crossing the bridge, we left the road next to a bus stop and followed a path through the wooded edge of Boden Boo, then a short section of quiet road, then we were into the main section of woods and riverside path. The path runs next to the former Erskine Harbour, but this was full of reed beds now.
This was really nice, with wonderful views of the river, and its wildlife, and back towards the dramatic Erskine Bridge. We stopped and had some lunch here, and we were lucky enough to be sitting enjoying the scenery, when the paddle steamer Waverley chugged past. That was delightful!
I really enjoyed this route.

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