Falkirk Wheel, Bonnybridge and Antonine Wall, near Falkirk

An almost level walk following the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath to Bonnybridge and then exploring the Antonine Wall and Roman Fort before a woodland walk reaches the top of the Falkirk Wheel, a marvel of modern engineering. NOTE: Bridge over railway from Bonnybridge to Antonine Wall currently closed for repairs - see map to plan diversion or shorten walk.

Terrain

Good surfaced paths, roads with pavement, Antonine Wall and Roman Fort can be wet underfoot.

Public Transport

Bus (3) from Falkirk.

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Start

Falkirk Wheel, near Falkirk. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7km/4.25 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 52m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS853804

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 349 - Falkirk
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is free car parking for the Falkirk Wheel just north of the Wheel and west of Falkirk, or there are regular bus services from the centre of Falkirk. From the car park follow the signs for the Wheel and after climbing a ramp up to the towpath turn right to follow this away from the boatlift. If you want to visit the Wheel at the start of the walk rather than the end, head left and then over the swing bridge - there is an excellent exhibition and cafe in the visitor centre and good children's play area on the far side of the basin.

Photo: Glen Bowman

Stage 2

Otherwise start the walk by following the towpath, soon leaving the built-up area behind. There are good views to the Ochils to the right and ducks, swans and coots can often be seen on this section which is popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. Eventually the outskirts of Bonnybridge is reached, and some canalside houses passed. Continue to the second set of steps on the right, next to a green bin, and head down here to the road where you turn left. Pass the shops and continue along the road signed for Antonine Wall for a short distance.

Stage 3

Before the road climbs look out for a turn to the left, after a garage, which leads to a tunnel under the canal, go through this and bear left along Bonnymuir Place and follow the road all the way to the end, past houses and industrial units. It then becomes a narrower road, goes up over the railway and alongside a wood. Eventually the Antonine Wall is reached on the left, go through the gate and follow the ridge of the old Roman defensive wall ahead. Built by the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius in AD 142 - 143, it marked the most northerly boundary of the Roman empire. Running for 37 miles it consisted of a high turf wall on which a timber fortification would have stood, and a deep ditch.

Stage 4

There are a four information boards at regular intervals as you walk east along the Antonine Wall. After the car park head along the surfaced track, which is an old Roman military road to reach the first one. Make sure you don't miss the lilia, deep holes which would have contained sharpened stakes and been camouflaged with brushwood as an extra deterrent to potential attackers. These are on the left side of the Antonine Wall after a deep dip where it a small bridge crosses a stream.

Stage 5

Just before reaching the trees growing across the Antonine Wall site, head to the right (south) to an information about the large Roman Fort which once stood here. Continue in the same direction crossing the ramparts of the fort to head down to a metal gateway onto a gravelled path. Follow this to the left following the signs for the Falkirk Wheel. Keep straight on ignoring a path to the left for Rough Castle Community Woods.

Stage 6

At the next junction keep left, signed for Falkirk Wheel and ignore a later turning for Tamfourhill. Soon a junction is reached with views of the Falkirk Wheel ahead. Continue ahead towards it with good views over Falkirk and the Ochils in the background. At a junction turn left to head downhill and under the boatlift to return past the visitor centre building. To reach the car park or bus stop continue down and across the swing bridge, turn left and then back down the ramp.

Photo: Martin Pettitt

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.