Walk: Around Falkirk's wheely big boatlift

Falkirk | Forth & Clyde Canal / Union Canal | Short walk | ★★★

[Lock Sixteen on the Forth & Clyde Canal]

The best way to fully appreciate the Falkirk Wheel and its wider setting is a walk along the two canals it connects together. Easy walking along towpaths culminates in a dramatic emergence from a short tunnel, with the top of the Wheel directly ahead along with a panoramic view taking in the Ochil Hills. Food is available at the visitor centre and at a pub midway.

[Top of the Falkirk Wheel, Ochil Hills behind]

📌 Walk: Around Falkirk's Wheely big boatlift ★★★
▶ 5 km / 3 miles | ▲ 60 metres
Features: Falkirk Wheel; Forth & Clyde Canal; Union Canal; Roughcastle Tunnel
Start / finish: Car park for Falkirk Wheel, G.R.: NS 853805 ///momentous.ropes.part

Route: Car park - Lock Sixteen via Forth & Clyde Canal - Union Canal aqueduct over Greenbank Road - Roughcastle Tunnel via Union Canal - Falkirk Wheel - start
Terrain: Surfaced canal towpaths; suburban paths and pavements to link the two canals after Lock Sixteen; steep grassy slope to access Union Canal.
Wildlife today: Swans and ducks on the Forth & Clyde canal.
Weather today: Unbroken sunshine to start with temperatures only just above freezing, but thin cloud approaching from the west.

>> Falkirk Wheel ★★★

[Forth & Clyde Canal at the start of the walk (11/11/16)]

Route map


Route credit: Walkhighlands (modified)

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