The Gryfe emerges to the south west of the village of Kilmacolm on the edge of the Duchal Woods.

It flows for approximately 16 miles (26 kilometres) to join the Black Cart Water near Glasgow International Airport beside the M8 motorway at Blackstone Mains Farm, having passed the north side of Quarriers Village, and the villages of Bridge of Weir, Crosslee and Houston.

The Dargavel Burn, which rises north of Kilmacolm, joins the River Gryfe near the site of the former Georgetown railway station after flowing in a south-east direction through ROF Bishopton.

[2][3] The churches of Stragrif (Strathgryffe) are mentioned in the 1169 charter of Paisley Abbey.

There are organisations which refer to the river and its environs, such as the Gryffe Valley Rotary Club.