Gleniffer Braes: The Tannahill Walkway
Renfrewshire
Gleniffer Braes Country Park covers around 480 acres of upland moorland, woodland and hill-farming land on the high ground above Paisley in Renfrewshire. Dogs need a lead here, since Highland cattle graze the braes and should never be approached in fields with calves. This 4.9km circular walk, the Tannahill Walkway, starts at the Robertson Car Park, known locally as the car park in the sky, and climbs about 177 metres through wooded paths, open hillside and moorland tracks. A short detour leads to Craigielinn, an 8 metre waterfall in the Gleniffer Gorge. From the high ground near the car park there are sweeping views south over Paisley and the Clyde Valley to Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. The wider park also holds Glenburn and Harelaw reservoirs and the ruins of Stanely Castle, reached on longer routes.
This is a dog friendly park with plenty of moorland and woodland scent for dogs to enjoy. Cattle, including a Highland herd, are grazed on the braes to manage the vegetation, so keep dogs under close control or on a short lead near livestock, and avoid any field with calves altogether. Away from the grazing areas there is moderate off-lead potential on the wider hillside for a dog with good recall. Paths can be muddy after rain, and the route includes some steep sections and steps, so it suits a reasonably fit dog. No cafe within the park itself is confirmed, though the Foxbar Cafe lies just outside the boundary. The Robertson Car Park is free, with a children's play park alongside it.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.9 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Waterfall, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No cafe confirmed within the park; the Foxbar Cafe lies just outside the park boundary.
- Parking
- Free Robertson Car Park, Glenfield Road, at the top of Gleniffer Braes, run by Renfrewshire Council.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Gleniffer Braes: The Tannahill Walkway, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Birchbank Loch View Lodge
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £476 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gleniffer Braes: The Tannahill Walkway dog friendly?
Gleniffer Braes Country Park is a welcoming spot for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog-friendly rating. The 4.9km Tannahill Walkway offers a good mix of woodland paths, open hillside and moorland tracks, with plenty of interesting scents along the way. The main thing to be aware of is that Highland cattle graze the braes, so dogs need to be kept under close control or on a lead near livestock.
Can dogs be off lead at Gleniffer Braes: The Tannahill Walkway?
Dogs should be kept on a lead or under very close control near the grazing areas, and you must avoid any field where calves are present. Away from the livestock, there is some off-lead potential on the wider hillside for dogs with reliable recall. It's worth keeping a lead handy throughout, as the cattle can appear in various parts of the braes.
What should I know before visiting Gleniffer Braes: The Tannahill Walkway with my dog?
The route climbs around 177 metres and includes steep sections and steps, so it suits a reasonably fit dog rather than a very young puppy or elderly companion. Paths can get muddy after rain, so it's worth coming prepared. Parking is free at the Robertson Car Park on Glenfield Road, and while there's no confirmed café within the park itself, the Foxbar Café sits just outside the boundary if you need a post-walk refreshment.
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Robertson Car Park, Glenfield Road, Gleniffer Braes Country Park, Paisley PA2 8UQ
55.8141, -4.4680
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