Falkirk to Kilsyth

Summary

An accessible, easy walk with excellent transport links along the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath before ascending alongside the spectacular Falkirk Wheel and following the first stretch of the Union Canal.

Grade

Bog Factor

2.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Canal towpath throughout.

Getting there

Start

Falkirk High station.

Public Transport

Falkirk High railway station is by the start of the walk; Kilsyth is 1km from the end and has bus services.

Start Grid Ref

NS881790

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Services

Falkirk - the centre of which is 1km off route - and Kilsyth - again 1.5km off route - are towns with all facilities. There is a restaurant with rooms at the end of the stage at Auchinstarry Marina.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18km / 11.25 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 15m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

This stage can be joined from either from Falkirk High Station or the adjacent Drossie Road car park. Start by crossing the rail car park diagonally and heading down the steps. Head through the tunnel under the railway and then bear left signed for Union Canal. Turn right along the towpath. The tow path continues above Falkirk - an easy stroll along recently modelled banks. Continue along to Port Maxwell, the original terminus of the canal above the buried lock flight down to the Forth & Clyde canal.

Stage 2

Pass a lock on the newly constructed part of canal for the approach to the Falkirk Wheel, then through Rough Castle Tunnel, a new 150 metre tunnel constructed to protect the archaeological remains of the Antonine Wall above. The cycle path then descends and leads down beside the Falkirk Wheel and its visitor centre. The wheel has quickly become a Scottish icon - a huge, elegant boatlift that slowly and gracefully lifts boats from the basin to the aqueduct 24 metres above. The height difference was once overcome by a flight of 11 locks, but these were filled in and built upon in the 1930s when the canal was closed.

Stage 3

Just beyond the basin at the bottom of the wheel the Forth and Clyde canal is reached. Cross to the far side and then turn left along the towpath. Soon the canal leads through Bonnybridge, with an interesting vertical lift road bridge. The canal follows in part the course of the Antonine Wall - a Roman turf and stone fortification bisecting Scotland.

Stage 4

At Underwood the canal leads up a total of three locks before passing under the M80. The construction of this road led to the closure of the canal to traffic in 1960s to prevent the need to install a bridge, but has recently had to be raised in order to reopen the waterway at huge cost. The next section is pleasantly wooded before Wyndford Lock is reached. Beyond here the canal runs wide and straight for some distance as it cuts through the Dullater Marsh SSSI - a particularly remote section of the canal. This stage of the walk ends at Auchinstarry Marina, a short walk south from Kilsyth (buses) or 2km north from Croy Rail Station.

Next stage: Kilsyth to Milngavie

Route: Phil Turner

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