Woodland, water and a family story walk / BEARSDEN

Kilmardinny Loch and the Gruffalo Trail

Choose a manageable walk around the loch and its woodland, allowing time to look for wildlife or the carved story characters. The setting works as a quiet outdoor pause as well as a family outing. Keep the walk flexible: a short section and a few discoveries can be enough, without completing every nearby route or treating the nature reserve as a playground.

Kilmardinny Loch in Bearsden — Photo: Richard Sutcliffe

Before you go

The Gruffalo carvings returned in 2025 after the older figures were removed. Follow the current trail and local notices rather than relying on an old map or photograph.

The practical details

Where to find it: Kilmardinny Loch Local Nature Reserve, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire
Directions and arrival information ↗
Tickets and booking: No ordinary walking ticket is needed. Use town facilities beforehand, respect wildlife and check any current path notices.
Access and getting around: Woodland paths can have uneven or wet sections. Check the route at arrival against your mobility needs; the wider Craigdhu Way is a longer option, not a guarantee that every path around the reserve is accessible.
Official access information ↗
Visiting with children: Look for the carved characters and allow time to stop, but keep children close near the water. The trail is a free walk, not an organised performance or staffed children’s attraction.

Practical information checked 15 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.

Make it part of your day

Allow 45–90 minutes for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.

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