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Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct – Falkirk Wheel loop from Larbert

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Hiking trails & Routes

Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct – Falkirk Wheel loop from Larbert

Easy

5.0

(2)

hikers

Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct – Falkirk Wheel loop from Larbert

01:56

7.31km

60m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 6.34 km for 12 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

979 m

Falkirk Wheel and the Forth and Clyde Canal

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The Forth and Clyde Canal is a canal opened in 1790, crossing central Scotland; it provided a route for the seagoing vessels of the day between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde at the narrowest part of the Scottish Lowlands. It is 35 miles (56 km) long and it runs from the River Carron at Grangemouth to the River Clyde at Bowling, and had an important basin at Port Dundas in Glasgow.

Successful in its day, it suffered as the seagoing vessels were built larger and could no longer pass through. The railway age further impaired the success of the canal, and in the 1930s decline had ended in dormancy. The final decision to close the canal in the mid 1960s was made due to maintenance costs of bridges crossing the canal exceeding the revenues it brought in. However, subsidies to the rail network were also a cause for its decline and the closure ended the movement of the east-coast Forth River fishing fleets across the country to fish the Irish Sea. The lack of political and financial foresight also removed a historical recreational waterway and potential future revenue generator to the town of Grangemouth. Unlike the majority of major canals the route through Grangemouth was drained and back filled to create a new carriageway for port traffic.

Tip by

3.63 km

Mosaic Bench on the Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Path

Highlight • Structure

Along the path connecting the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals in Falkirk, there are several tile-designed benches that invite not only sitting but also taking a closer look.

The project was a collaborative effort:
Together with Scottish Canals, many local groups collaborated on this creative idea. The canal landscape was mapped and visualized, and the goal was to express how local people experience the environment and their heritage. Drawings and ideas were then transferred onto ceramics.

Participating schools and groups were:
- Safer Communities Youth Action Project
- Carmuirs Primary
- Easter Carmuirs Primary
- Larbert Village Primary
- Go Forth and Clyde

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.22 km

Highland Cow

Highlight • Natural

5.49 km

Falkirk Tunnel on the Union Canal

Highlight • Structure

Falkirk Tunnel is a tunnel on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal between Falkirk Tunnel (south end) and Falkirk Tunnel (north end)
It is 631 yards long.

Tip by

5.71 km

Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct

Highlight • Monument

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world. This feat of engineering stands at 115 feet tall and, using the power of eight domestic kettles, transfers boats 79 feet (24 m) through the air between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. Boats must then ascend another 36 feet (11 m) through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. There is a visitor centre here with facilities and information on the Wheel.

Tip by

6.15 km

Falkirk Wheel

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world. This feat of engineering stands at 115 feet (35 m) tall and, using the power of eight domestic kettles, transfers boats 79 feet (24 m) through the air between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. Boats must then ascend another 36 feet (11 m) through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. There is a visitor centre here with facilities and information on the Wheel.

Tip by

6.27 km

Falkirk Wheel Food Stalls & Cafés

Highlight • Restaurant

The Falkirk Wheel and surrounding area is managed by Scottish Canals. They licence a variety of catering trailers at the wheel, these include coffee and snacks most days and wood fired pizza in the evening. It's handy to be able to grab a coffee and watch the wheel at the start or after a run.

Tip by

6.47 km

View of the Falkirk Wheel and Information Board

Highlight • Viewpoint

Not only you'll have an interesting view of the Falkirk Wheel from this highlight, you'll also be able to relax on a bench and/or have a look at a map of the surroundings, including various paths and landmarks.

Tip by

7.31 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.24 km

837 m

126 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.98 km

1.24 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (80 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Thursday 16 July

23°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct – Falkirk Wheel loop from Larbert

Falkirk Wheel and the Forth and Clyde Canal

Mosaic Bench on the Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Path

Highland Cow

Falkirk Tunnel on the Union Canal

Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct

Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk Wheel Food Stalls & Cafés

View of the Falkirk Wheel and Information Board

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