Now Look Closer - Great Outdoors

North Lanarkshire has a diversity of activities on offer for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it's just a quiet stroll, getting close to nature or a fun-filled day of action-packed activity, there's something for everyone!

Situated beside the M74 in Motherwell, Strathclyde Country Park, is home to Scotland's leading water sports centre, open parkland, woodland walks and orienteering trails. It is also the location of M&D's – Scotland's Theme Park, a four-star camping and caravan park, an inn and a hotel.

Strathclyde, Drumpellier and Palacerigg country parks provide a countryside ranger service. These rangers carry out regular foot and vehicle patrols to help ensure that by-laws are enforced and that wildlife within the parks is safeguarded. The countryside ranger service organises a year-round programme of guided walks, lectures and hands-on activities throughout North Lanarkshire. A guide is produced in April, which is available from the country parks and is detailed on the 'what's on' pages of NorthWeb at www.northlan.gov.uk. The service also offers formal environmental education, which is operated through a booking system. For further information, contact Palacerigg Country Park on 01236 720047, Strathclyde Country Park on 01698 266155 and Drumpellier Country Park on 01236 422257.

Set on the outskirts of Motherwell, Dalzell Park's estate grounds boast a peaceful woodland park. Visitors will encounter some spectacular scenery, landscaped gardens and grounds, Lord Gavin's Temple and picturesque walks alongside the River Clyde.

The extensive grounds at the Colzium-Lennox Estate in Kilsyth display a walled garden brimming with shrubs, rhododendrons and dwarf conifers. There are also a series of walks to enjoy.

Two lochs, a visitor centre, wildlife walks, flint tools and Crannogs from the Stone Age and the Iron Age can all be found within one country park – Drumpellier in Coatbridge. Other facilities include a road train, children's play areas, and angling.

Enjoy a 'wild' day out at Palacerigg Country Park, where you may be lucky enough to spot some rare Scottish and European species such as Scottish wildcat, pine marten, arctic fox and eagle owl. Visitors can also walk, ride or cycle the 10km network of nature trails and bridlepaths, or climb to the heights of the treetop walkway.

Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park, located on the outskirts of Wishaw, has undergone a huge transformation to become a key nature focal point. Created on derelict land, the park now has on site a variety of wildlife habitats and beautiful woodland, and is a rich green place that visitors are sure to enjoy.

Viewpark Gardens is a must if you're looking for a horticultural centre with several types of gardens and glasshouse displays. Features include Japanese and Highland plant displays and demonstration gardens allow visitors to obtain ideas about design and planting for themselves.

For further information on any of the parks within North Lanarkshire, telephone 01698 506293.

For enthusiastic walkers, there are a number of routes to try within North Lanarkshire. The North Calder Heritage Trail is 16km long, almost all located on purpose-built paths.

The walking is leisurely and the trail, which begins at Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge, can be covered in 4-5 hours. Strathkelvin Railway Walkway stretches for 13 miles through rural towns and quiet villages, out into the open countryside with breathtaking views of the Campsie Fells. Torbothie Turn is a route that goes through Torbothie community woodlands. It's only about half a mile long and provides a good surface for walking. Craigmarloch to Wyndford offers a two-mile walk along the towpath.

With more and more people leaving the car behind and enjoying the great outdoors, cycling is becoming a more popular pursuit for people of all ages. In North Lanarkshire there are a number of sites to 'gear up' for.

The National Cycle Route 75 joins the Clyde Coast and Glasgow to Edinburgh, and provides links to Loch Lomond and the Forth Road Bridge.

Another one to try is the Glasgow to Cumbernauld Cycle Commuter Route. It starts on the south-west of Cumbernauld, through Muirhead and Stepps, before finishing north of Glasgow city centre.

Coast-to-coast navigation across central Scotland has been restored along the Forth and Clyde Union Canals following the Millennium Link Project, the biggest canal restoration ever undertaken. Completed in 2002, the showpiece of the project is the new rotating boat-lift at Falkirk. Visitors can gain access along the canal in North Lanarkshire by joining the towpath at Auchinstarry, Craigmarloch and Wyndford in the Cumbernauld/Kilsyth area.

There is also a variety of rural roads in the Kilsyth Hills area, the Slammanan Plateau and off-road facilities within the council's country parks.

For those who enjoy water sports, there is a wide range of facilities available at Strathclyde Country Park. This world-class facility provides opportunities for taking up rowing, jet- skiing or sailing activities.

Test your swing and take to the fairways of North Lanarkshire's municipal courses at Palacerigg Golf Course in Cumbernauld and Coatbridge Golf Course and Driving Range.

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