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Description:-
This is a route that follows mainly paths, tracks, long-gone railway lines and an old canal towpath. Surprisingly rural given the location but also with evidence of the industrial past of the area.
Start out from the vicinity of Petersburn Park in Airdrie (near the football stadium) and follow the route of Cycle Route 75 initially. When you hit the B802 you need to look for a rough path that skirts around the North of Cairnhill estate. When you reach the minor road (Tag 1), cross it an onto the canal towpath beyond, following this to a set of stairs at Tag 2. Here you have the option of a circuit of some local woods, which can be muddy after rain.
On returning to Tag 2, again follow the path which is now following the Calder Water until you get to Brownsburn Estate. Cut through the corner of the estate and cross the A73 (Tag 3) onto the path climbing up the hill beyond. Follow this path which is now well above the river until you hit the next minor road (Tag 4). Turn right at the minor road and then left at the roundabout, heading uphill past the bonded warehouses (all that's left of the Distillery). Turn right at Tag 5, where you'll head off road again onto paths, an old railway trackbed (bumpy) and then some track. At the next minor road (Tag 6) you want to turn left and follow it for a short distance to the farm at Wester Bracco (Tag 7).
Turn right here and follow the track, which eventually all but disappears so you need to follow the field boundary for a bit, heading downhill past the Lilly Loch. Cross the A89 to pick up the tarmaced cycle route that heads West through Caldercruix. Since the re-instatement of the Airdrie-Bathgate railway line, the cycle route ends at the outskirst of Plains. You'll need to follow the main A89 back to Airdrie or take some of the back roads.