Wooded slopes of the Nethan Gorge near Crossford, South Lanarkshire

Where to go · South Lanarkshire

Forest bathing at Nethan Gorge

A small, steep gorge wood of oak and birch between Crossford and Craignethan Castle in the Clyde Valley.

Nethan Gorge is the smallest of the six Clyde Valley Woodlands sites, a steep sided gorge cut by the River Nethan, near the village of Crossford. It is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. Close to the path the trees have been coppiced, while on the steep gorge sides oak and birch have been left uncut. A commercial conifer plantation sits alongside. Craignethan Castle, built around 1530, stands above the gorge.

Park in Crossford behind the village hall and walk about 400 metres along the main road to the reserve, joining at the bridge over the River Nethan. The trail to the castle is short but narrow, steep and stepped, with three flights of steps up to the plateau and a viewpoint over the gorge. You can also start from the castle when it is open. Food and toilets are in Crossford.

Practical

Managed by
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Parking
Car park in Crossford behind the village hall
Terrain
Narrow, steep path with flights of steps
Nearest station
Carluke, about 15 minutes by car
Facilities
None on site; food and toilets in Crossford
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
nature.scot

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

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More woodlands in South Lanarkshire

All venues in South Lanarkshire
The Rotten Calder Water flowing through the wooded glen at Calderglen Country Park, East KilbrideCalderglen Country ParkWooded gorge and waterfalls on the Rotten Calder at East KilbrideWoodland path in Chatelherault Country Park, HamiltonChatelherault Country ParkAncient Cadzow oaks and a wooded river gorge on the Dukes of Hamilton's old estatePath through woodland in Cartland Craigs Nature Reserve, LanarkCleghorn Glen and Cartland CraigsAncient oak and ash in the Mouse Water gorge on the edge of Lanark

Photos: Calderglen Country Park, Rosser1954 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Chatelherault Country Park, M J Richardson (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cleghorn Glen and Cartland Craigs, Alan O'Dowd (CC BY-SA 2.0).