Cycling from Edinburgh to The Falkirk Wheel
Route facts
Waterways:
Union Canal »
Distance: 33 miles / 52.8km
Duration: 5 hours
Starts at: Edinburgh
Ends at: The Falkirk Wheel
To cycle along the towpath, you will need to display a British Waterways cycle permit which you can download for free on the cycling page.
There is a cycle hire centre close to the start of the route if you do not have a bike. Some parts of the towpath are only 1m wide and are potholed and uneven, so you will need to be extra careful at these parts. You should also dismount from your bike when crossing roads and bridges.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking at both ends of the route.
Public transport: There are train and bus services at the beginning and end of the route.
Waypoints
1. Edinburgh Quay to Gogar Moor Bridge (7 miles / 11.2km)
This route begins in Scotland's historic capital city, Edinburgh. A short walk from Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city, Edinburgh Quays is a thriving canal centre for Scotland. Cycle along the towpath where you will pass by a number of pubs and places to eat in the first mile. There are not many places to stop for refreshments for a while from here so it may be a good idea to get something to eat or bring some snacks and drinks along with you. There is a shop close to Dumbryden Road Bridge (5aa) however. The towpath is unavailable for bikes between Dumbryden Pipes and Sighthil Pipes. It is advised that you dismount from your bike when crossing Slateford Aqueduct, before you arrive at Gogar Moor Bridge.
2. Gogar Moor Bridge to Port Buchan Basin (6 miles / 9.6km)
Continue to cycle along the towpath of the Union Canal. Again, there is not really anywhere to stop for refreshments on this section until you get to the end. Coming to a number of bridges and a couple of aqueducts, perhaps the thing you will notice most on this section is the M8 motorway which passes over the canal. It is only a short distance from here that you will arrive at Port Buchan Basin. There are a number of pubs in the surrounding area to the basin and also places to eat and shop.
3. Port Buchan Basin to Manse Road Basin (8.5 miles / 13.6km)
The longest section of this cycle ride, you will first come across the Central Scotland Forest, which aims to plant millions of trees across Scotland's central belt. Continue along the towpath and you will cycle through Winchburgh, where there is a pub for refreshments. You will also pass through Philpstoun and Wilcoxholm and just after Pilgrim's Hill Aqueduct you will arrive at Manse Road Basin. There are a number of pubs, places to eat and shops around the basin.
4. Manse Road Basin to Brightons Bridge (5.5 miles / 8.8km)
On this section of the route, you will have to be careful as between Preston Road Bridge No. 45 and the A801 the path is only 1m wide and can be uneven and potholed. You will cycle through Linlithgow, the historic birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. When the path crosses the Avon Aqueduct, you will need to dismount. It is advised that you do not attempt to cross the A801. When you arrive at Brightons Bridge, there is a shop nearby and also somewhere to eat.
5. Brightons Bridge to the Falkirk Wheel (6 miles / 9.6km)
Cycle along the towpath on this final section of the route. Between Redding Bridge No.56 and Greenbank, the towpath is uneven and potholed. When the path runs through the length of the Falkirk Tunnel (695m), you will need to dismount from your bike. The world's first and only rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel, is not far from here.
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