The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies
Falkirk Walk
County/Area - Falkirk
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km Ascent - 150 feet / 45 metres
Time - 4 hours 10 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 349 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 349 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 65 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 65 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.
This walk includes two recent visitor attractions in Falkirk with a walk along the historic Forth & Clyde Canal, which was opened for sea-going ships in 1790. The route is easy to follow, is flat but traverses mainly urban landscapes. The start is The Helix in Falkirk which lies to the east of the A9 ( close to Falkirk's football stadium. The start is a small car park (grid ref. NS907817) which is the first parking area on the left when entering the site. There is additional parking (fee payable) nearer the Kelpies and also an overflow car park at the Falkirk football stadium (except on match days).
It is suggested that you leave visiting the Kelpies until the end of the walk. From the car park recommended above, walk towards the Kelpies on a clear path to reach the canal. Continue a short way and cross the canal at a bridge. Turn left over the bridge and then follow the canal westwards (i.e. with the canal on your left). No further instructions are required until you reach the Falkirk wheel. Here you can cross the canal and enter the site with its café and gift shop.
To return to the Kelpies retrace your steps along the canal and continue to inspect these wonderful pieces of art or engineering. The site was still being developed in Spring 2015 with larger facilities under construction. These included a visitor centre, gift shop and a larger café.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1979 | Culross Heritage | easy | 1.5 miles |
Walk 2222 | Ben Cleuch from Tillicoultry | moderate | 7.0 miles |
Walk 2709 | Dumyat Hill | easy/mod | 4.5 miles |
Walk 2439 | Forth & Clyde Canal & Antonine Wall | easy | 6.0 miles |
Walk 3291 | West Kip, East Kip & Scald Law | moderate | 9.7 miles |
Walk 1700 | Edinburgh - Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat & Princes Street | easy | 5.5 miles |
Walk 1803 | Edinburgh - Salisbury Crags and the Royal Mile | easy | 4.0 miles |
Walk 2061 | Edinburgh - Calton Hill and the city centre | easy | 3.0 miles |
Walk 2552 | West Highland Way Experience | moderate | 95.0 miles |
Walk 1490 | West Highland Way - A personal experience | moderate | 96.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
No suggestions for this area.Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.