Walk, Ride and Cycle in and around The Falkirk Wheel and South Falkirk easy to use map and 12 suggested locations something for everyone Walk, Ride and Cycle in and around The Falkirk Wheel and South Falkirk Paths Key Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsibly! 1 The Falkirk Wheel Shortie Everyone has the right to 2 Falkirk Wheel to Rough be on most land and Camelon Castle Roman Fort inland water providing Falkirk Wheel 3 Falkirk Wheel to they act responsibly. Rough Castle Your access rights and Roughcastle 1 Community Woodland responsibilities are Roman Fort Falkirk 4 Falkirk Wheel to explained fully in the 2 3 Rough Castle Scottish Outdoor Access Community Woodland Code. 5 5 Tamfourhill Local Loop Whether you’re in the 6 Bantaskine Park outdoors or managing 6 Circular the outdoors, the key 7 The Falkirk Tunnel things are to: Finding your way 4 9 Callendar House Circular Take responsibility for A map & Park 8 Hallglen Local Loop your own actions Take a close look at 7 9 Falkirk Wheel to Battle Respect the interests the map for each of Falkirk Monument of other people route. This should be 10 10 Falkirk Wheel to Care for the all you need to find Shieldhill Circular environment the start point and 8 11 Falkirk Wheel and get on your way. OS Community Woodland Visit Explorer map 349 12 Hallglen Circular www.outdooraccess- covers the area. 12 Callendar Estate Cycle scotland.com or contact Trails your local Scottish Natural Heritage office. Signs 11 Look out for sign posts and interpretation boards giving more information along the way. This leaflet has information Fort and the Antonine Wall, and choose one that suits The Falkirk Wheel about 12 routes in and follow one of the old your own interests, needs around the Falkirk Wheel drover’s roads, enjoy our It’s up to you and abilities. Some of The world’s first rotating boatlift, the Falkirk Wheel There are 12 routes and South Falkirk. Many woodlands and farmlands, these paths follow great of these paths have been the canal towpaths and the is an amazing feat of engineering. It lifts boats up 35 in this leaflet, with short family-friendly metres using the same amount of power as eight information on green improved by Falkirk Falkirk Wheel. routes, whilst for others Council’s Development toasters. transport options, Take a wander along you’ll need a full day to path surfaces, Services, Callendar Estate explore the sites and Annual closure November. Check and Central Scotland your local paths and you www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk for more information. gradients, parking will find some great sounds of South Falkirk’s and facilities. Just Forest Trust with help fantastic path network. Opening times and support from local countryside, wildlife, choose a route that fantastic views, and a Visitor Centre, Café & Inner Basin suits your interest landowners and farmers. While you’re out and about Summer (April - Oct): 10.00am - 5.30pm wealth of history, waiting exploring these paths, why and ability and enjoy This is your chance to get to be discovered. Winter (Nov - March): Wed - Sun 11am - 4pm the paths in and not visit to the Falkirk Closed Mon & Tues out and about to take a Wheel, Rough Castle around the Falkirk journey through our history Which site should I visit? Tunnel & Swing Bridge Wheel and South Roman Fort, or Callendar - explore our Roman Simply read through the House and Park. April - Oct: 8.30am - 7.30pm Falkirk. heritage, visit Rough Castle following suggested routes Nov - March 8.30am - dusk 1. The Falkirk Wheel Shortie Key Starting point Main path Alternative paths Bench Parking Forth & Clyde Canal Railway line Vistors Centre & Tourist Information The Falkirk Wheel Toilets Disabled amenities Disabled parking Tunnel From the top of the Falkirk Wheel enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the Forth valley and the hills beyond. The tunnel at Roughcastle and the Union Canal canal locks provide more interest, but 2 Continue along the please take care near The Lowland Canals the water. Union Canal towpath, through the short The canals were built using Access Information Distance Finding Your Way tunnel and follow the manpower from the Suggested route - 1km (0.6 mile) Start at the Falkirk path to the bend. navvies. These migrant Bus: Number 3 bus to The Falkirk From here you can Wheel; for bus timetable information Other routes (see map). Wheel Visitor Centre Irish and Highland workers watch the canal boats came to Central Scotland contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or 1 From the main using the two locks. visit www.traveline.org.uk. Path information entrance to the looking for work. They dug The canal continues out the canals using picks, This route is easily accessible using Visitor Centre take at this same level all Train: Falkirk High Station - 4km (2.5 surfaced paths with moderate inclines. the path uphill shovels, wheelbarrows and the way to Edinburgh early gunpowder. miles) along towpath; Camelon Station However, the alternative return route signposted “Union 50km/31miles away. 2km (1.2 miles). has some steeper gradients over the Canal and Antonine Burke and Hare, the tunnel entrance. If you feel like a rest, Wall”. Instead of 3 Return the same way, infamous Edinburgh body Cycle: Towpaths alongside Forth and take an extended push up the hill to a branching off to the or from the seating snatchers, were navvies on Clyde Canal and Union Canal. stone seating area. The route is then right under the canal area take the zig-zag the Union Canal near along the canal towpath as far as the aqueduct continue path up over the Brightons. two locks returning via the same route. uphill to reach a tunnel entrance and Car: North & South car parks - free The Union and Forth & parking. But please note the bridge stone seating area down the other side Facilities with views out over to pass under the Clyde Canals are managed connecting the North car park and the for public benefit by British basin closes at 8pm. Toilets, refreshments and Visitor Centre the top of the Falkirk aqueduct back to the at the Falkirk Wheel. Wheel. Visitor Centre. Waterways. 2. Falkirk Wheel to Rough Castle Roman Fort Forth & Clyde Canal Access Information From the newest to the oldest - enjoy this circular route through restored countryside Bus : Number 3 bus to The visiting constructions created two millennia Falkirk Wheel; for bus apart but which are only 1km (0.6 mile) from The Falkirk Wheel timetable information each other. This route also gives good views of contact Traveline on 0871 the hills to the north. 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.org.uk . Finding Your Way Train : Falkirk High Station - Start at the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre 4km (2.5 miles) along 1 Take the path uphill signposted “Union Canal towpath; Camelon Station and Antonine Wall”. Branch off to the right, 2km (1.2 miles). passing underneath the canal aqueduct. Cycle : Towpaths alongside 2 Follow this path for a short distance then take Forth and Clyde Canal and the surfaced path downhill to your right which Union Canal. sweeps round through Rough Castle Community Woodland to Roughcastle Roman Fort. This Union Canal Car: North & South car woodland was once the site of a huge open cast parks - free parking. But mining area. Explore the remains of the Roman Key please note the bridge Fort at your leisure; there are interpretative Bench Toilets Vistors Centre connecting the North car panels by the main features. & Tourist Starting point Parking Disabled Information park and the basin closes amenities at 8pm. 3 Cross over the top of the fort at the central Main path Antonine Wall Tunnel grassy area near the central interpretation Disabled panel. This will lead you to a surfaced path next Alternative Railway line parking Distance paths Suggested route - to the railway bridge. At this sign posted junction 3km (1.8 miles). turn left. Easier option - 4 Follow the main path beside the railway, go left 2 km (1.2 miles) at the first junction and heading straight on to enter The Falkirk Wheel site. Other routes (see map). Path information Rough Castle Roman Fort This route generally makes use of compacted stone The best preserved fort on surfaced paths. There is one the Antonine Wall, Rough short grass section which Castle could have been used may be muddy and the by up to 500 men. There Roman Fort is mown grass. were gateways, ditches, There are gentle slopes but roadways, ramparts and no gates or stiles with two various buildings, which now narrow gaps at the exits show as earthworks in the from the Roman Fort. grass. Look out for the lilia - stakes which defended the Facilities north of the fort. Toilets, refreshments and Visitor Centre at the Falkirk For more information visit Wheel. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 3. Taking it Easy: Falkirk Wheel to Rough Castle Community Woodland Key Starting point Forth & Main path Clyde Canal Alternative paths Bench Parking The Falkirk Wheel Antonine Wall Railway line Vistors centre & Tourist Information Toilets Disabled amenities Disabled parking Tunnel Union Canal A short circular, countryside the nearest pylon. Rough Castle route near the Falkirk Wheel Community with good views 3 At the junction at the start of the woodland follow the Woodland Finding Your Way path straight ahead, Start at the Falkirk Wheel passing beneath the power The woodland Access Information Visitor Centre lines. Continue along to the was created by 1 Take the path uphill next signpost and a bench Coal Contractors Bus : Number 3 bus to The Falkirk Distance signposted “Union Canal and then turn left up the on the restored Wheel; for bus timetable information Suggested route - 2km (1.2 miles) and Antonine Wall”.