Union Canal, Falkirk

5 miles / 8 km

This is a short, but very funny walk which incorporates the Clyde & Forth Canal, the crossroad Falkirk Wheel and the first couple of miles / 3 km of the Union Canal. This is a brilliant walk and one for the whole family and visitors. This is a great canal-walk taster and introduction too. This walk should be on everyone's to-walk list.

Very Easy

This is a very easy, scenic walk with only one hill... The hill up to and past Falkirk Wheel plus the first lock after the tunnel. The rest is flat. The surface is tarmac, and the short tunnel is both wide and well-lit. There is a shop in the Falkirk Wheel visitor centre. Plenty of drinks are still recommended.

The Midland Bus X37 from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station to Bonnybridge Canal 1 time an hour.

Leave the bus at this bus stop and make your way over the canal, if the bridge is open (or you have to wait until the canal boat has passed it on the canal). Take the canal down to the right, on the left side of the canal on the good surfaced towpath.




The canal here is both good and very scenic with great views in the direction of Larbert, Stirling and the Ochil Hills in Fife. Tranquil is the word that best describes this walk down to the canal-crossroad at Falkirk Wheel.



The hugely impressive Falkirk Wheel soon comes into view here. A jaw-dropping moment (but do not fall into the canal...) indeed.



Cross the footbridge here and make your way to the visitor centre for some souvenirs and perhaps some bottled energy drinks.



Make sure you get your own "I was here" photos, including yourself in the frame/shot (yes, I have a photo of myself next to the wheel and am proud of it). Then take the signposted Union Canal path to the top of the Falkirk Wheel where there are some good views (and don't forget a selfie here).



A tunnel is now appearing. This tunnel is both wide and well-lit. It is also pretty short and has a good surface. There is no chance of falling into the canal here. It is still exciting and makes the stomach jump a bit... A good type of excitement.



At the other side of the tunnel.... The start of the Union Canal, which goes from the end of this tunnel all the way to just short of Edinburgh Castle. A fabulous walk indeed. There is another short, steep climb up the only lock on this canal. The rest of the canal is dead flat for tens of miles/kilometers. Climb the path here.



The first two miles/ three kilometers of Union Canal are tranquil and great. It also has some sporadic good views towards the Ochil Hills and Falkirk. The next two pictures are from these two miles / three kilometres.







The walk comes to a stop here as the path down to the Falkirk High train station goes down to the left. The canal continues straight ahead to a long, dark tunnel. That is the Falkirk High - Linlithgow walk somewhere else on the Canals page.
Take the path down to the left and to the railway station where this walk ends.



Train from Falkirk High to Glasgow Queen Street 4 times an hour.