I knew before we arrived in Glasgow that I wanted to escape the city at least once.
We were travelling with our three children, and after spending a few days exploring Glasgow’s museums, streets and food scene, I was craving mountains, lochs and a little more wilderness.
The problem? There are so many beautiful places within reach of Glasgow that choosing where to go can feel overwhelming—especially when you only have a day or two.
Luckily, we have family in the city, so I asked the locals where they would go. Rather than sticking to the obvious choices, we decided to seek out quieter spots and a little more adventure.
We holiday in the Lake District every year, so we’re no strangers to dramatic mountains and deep lakes. But the Scottish Highlands felt different. Bigger, wilder and, in places, wonderfully empty.
We deliberately didn’t visit Loch Lomond on this trip. I’m sure it’s beautiful and absolutely worth visiting, but we were craving somewhere a little less busy. We wanted to feel like we’d escaped the city rather than simply swapped one busy place for another.
These are the three day trips from Glasgow that we actually did with our children—and the ones I’d recommend if you’d rather trade the crowds for a little adventure.
One final practical point: while you absolutely don’t need a car to explore Glasgow itself, I would recommend hiring one if you want the freedom to explore beyond the city. It gave us the flexibility to stop when we wanted, explore at our own pace and avoid being tied to the timings of an organised tour.
The 3 Best Day Trips from Glasgow at a Glance
| Day trip | Drive from Glasgow | Best for | Time needed |
| Loch Katrine | Around 1.5 hours | Cycling, boating & families | Full day |
| Loch Lubnaig | Around 1 hour | Nature, paddleboarding & hiking | Half/full day |
| Devil’s Pulpit | Around 30 minutes | Adventure, geology & older children | Half day |
Loch Katrine: Bike & Boat Adventure
Best for: Breathtaking scenery, an active day and families
Need to know: If you want to combine cycling and the boat cruise, plan your timings carefully and pre-book the boat.
Loch Katrine is around 1.5 hours north of Glasgow, in the Trossachs area of the Scottish Highlands. At around eight miles long and one mile wide, it’s an impressive stretch of water—and, fun fact, it is Glasgow’s primary freshwater supply!
There are three main ways to experience Loch Katrine: walking, cycling and boating. We decided to combine two and hired bikes with the intention of cycling one way and taking the steam boat back.
The intention was good.
The execution? Not quite so good!
We hadn’t timed our cycle particularly well, so rather than rushing back to catch the boat, we decided to cycle there and back. This was also before we’d fully appreciated just how hilly parts of the route were!
If you’re approaching from the south, you’ll arrive at Trossachs Pier, where you’ll find Katrine Wheelz, the bike hire shop. We booked our bikes in advance, which I’d definitely recommend during busy periods as you may otherwise be disappointed.
We opted for hybrid/mountain bikes, but if you’re not a regular cyclist, I’d seriously consider an electric bike. There are a few surprisingly punchy climbs along the route that require some out-of-the-saddle effort, and an e-bike would make them considerably more manageable.
The best part of the ride came once we’d left the pier behind.
The further we cycled, the more the crowds disappeared. At one point, it genuinely felt like we’d left 80% of the visitors behind us.
And that’s exactly what we’d come for.
We stopped at Brenachoile Point for a picnic, where we sat by the water, skimmed stones and enjoyed one of those views that makes you wonder why you ever bother going abroad.
There wasn’t another person in sight.
Bliss.
In total, we covered around 20km and spent approximately three hours on our bikes, including our lunch stop and plenty of breaks.
We had a brilliant day exploring Loch Katrine—but I think we may have broken our six-year-old in the process!
If you’re travelling with younger children, I’d seriously consider the boat-and-bike option rather than attempting the full return cycle. You can take your bikes on the boat and enjoy a one-way ride on the water, which gives you the best of both experiences without quite as much cycling.
Smart Travel Tip: Check the boat timetable before you set off and book your place in advance if you want to combine cycling with the cruise.
Planning a trip to Loch Katrine?
🚲 Combine a scenic cycle with a cruise on Loch Katrine’s historic steamship.From $37 per person (Affiliate Link)
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https://widget.getyourguide.com/dist/pa.umd.production.min.jsLoch Lubnaig: A Quiet Highland Escape
Best for: Peaceful picnics, paddleboarding, wild swimming and hiking
Need to know: The car park near The Cabin is relatively small, so arrive early on busy days.
If you want a day away from Glasgow—and away from the crowds—Loch Lubnaig is a great choice.
There are no bells and whistles here. No rows of tourist attractions or endless cafés. Just a beautiful loch, mountains, woodland and plenty of space to breathe.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.
Loch Lubnaig is around an hour’s drive from Glasgow. We parked near the beach by The Cabin, a small café where you can pick up a drink or something to eat.
I’d still recommend taking a picnic.
We took ours down to the pebble beach and settled in to enjoy the view. The weather had taken a turn when we arrived, but that didn’t seem to bother the swimmers and paddleboarders who were still making the most of the water.
Although we didn’t swim ourselves—the temperature was a little too ambitious for us!—the easy access to the water makes this a great spot for a quick summer adventure. The car is close to the shore, so you can retreat to it for warm clothes or a change of clothes without having to carry everything miles from the water.
But Loch Lubnaig isn’t just about getting in the water.
If you’d rather explore on foot, there are some lovely walks around the western side of the loch, including routes leading to waterfalls.
We used the AllTrails app to find the Stank Burn hike and set off along the shoreline. Our walk was around 6km and took approximately two and a half hours, although we stopped frequently to explore the beaches, woodland and loch edge.
The waterfalls were the highlight for the children, while I loved the changing views across the water.
It was exactly the antidote we needed after a few days in the city.
If you’re looking for a quiet day trip from Glasgow, particularly one that combines a loch, hiking and the possibility of wild swimming or paddleboarding in warmer weather, I’d put Loch Lubnaig high on your list.
Devil’s Pulpit: A Dramatic Gorge 30 Minutes from Glasgow
Best for: Jaw-dropping scenery, adventure and geography geeks
Need to know: The parking lay-by gets busy, so arrive early. The descent into the gorge is steep and requires scrambling.
If you’re looking for something completely different, Devil’s Pulpit is a brilliant short trip from Glasgow. From $104 per person. (Affiliate Link).
Just 30 minutes from the city, this 70-foot moss-covered gorge feels like it shouldn’t exist so close to an urban centre.
The dramatic red sandstone and blood-red water make it one of those places that looks almost too spectacular to be real.
It’s also an adventure getting down there.
A short walk across a field and through woodland takes you to the top of the gorge. From there, you’ll need to scramble down a steep, narrow rocky ravine to reach the water.
Our children absolutely loved it.
If you’re unsure on your feet, however, this probably isn’t the trip for you. The descent is steep and some of the rocky steps have collapsed, so you’ll need to take care and be prepared to get wet.
We visited one afternoon and immediately discovered the downside of arriving later in the day: crowds.
The small parking lay-by was busy, and when we reached the bottom of the gorge, there was a tour group of around 30 people squeezed into the narrow space.
Suddenly, our peaceful Highland adventure felt a little less peaceful!
If you want to explore the gorge itself, I’d recommend bringing water shoes and being prepared to get your feet wet. It allows you to venture further into the gorge rather than simply viewing it from the main viewpoint.
I’m a bit of a geography geek, so this was particularly fascinating for me. I love the idea that you can be driving through the Scottish countryside, with seemingly nothing around you, and then suddenly discover a 70-foot gorge hidden amongst the trees.
Unless you specifically went looking for it, you’d probably never know it was there.
I’d absolutely recommend visiting—but go early or late in the day if you want to avoid the crowds.
Which Day Trip from Glasgow Should You Choose?
All three are completely different, so your choice really depends on what you’re looking for.
Choose Loch Katrine if…
- You want a full day outdoors
- Your family enjoys cycling
- You want spectacular Highland scenery
- You’d like to combine cycling with a boat trip
Choose Loch Lubnaig if…
- You want somewhere quieter
- You enjoy hiking and nature
- You’re interested in paddleboarding or wild swimming
- You want a relaxed picnic by a loch
Choose Devil’s Pulpit if…
- You only have half a day
- You enjoy scrambling and adventure
- Your children like exploring
- You want dramatic scenery without travelling deep into the Highlands
Why We Chose These Instead of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is an obvious choice when you’re looking for day trips from Glasgow, and I’m sure it’s beautiful.
But we’d already experienced plenty of popular tourist destinations during our travels, and this time we wanted something different.
We wanted quieter roads, fewer crowds and the feeling that we’d actually escaped the city.
That decision shaped the three trips we chose.
And honestly, I think it was the right one.
The best part of our time outside Glasgow wasn’t ticking famous places off a list. It was cycling until we couldn’t see another person, eating a picnic beside a loch, scrambling through a gorge with three excited children and finding those little pockets of Scotland that felt completely our own.
Sometimes the best day trips aren’t necessarily the most famous ones.
They’re the ones that make you feel like you’ve discovered something.
More Glasgow Guides
If you’re planning a trip to Glasgow, you might also enjoy:
3-Day Glasgow Itinerary: My Perfect Itinerary
For a ready-made plan if you’re short on time.
5 Best Things to Do in Glasgow: My Favourite Sights + a Secret Swimming Spot
For the museums, architecture, gardens, street art and food I’d prioritise in the city.
The Best Free Things to Do in Glasgow with Kids
For family-friendly ideas that won’t eat into your holiday budget.
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