Accessible cycling
The Falkirk area has something for cyclists of all ages and abilities. With miles upon miles of smooth, traffic-free paths taking in some of the most iconic sites in Scotland, it’s a great place to explore by bike.
Choose to bring your own bikes, hire an E-bike, or take a trishaw tour from pioneering Falkirk-based charity, Cycling Without Age Scotland. Its unique trishaw tours are for people with limited mobility, helping them to explore the sites and attractions of the Falkirk area by bike, either on their own or alongside other cyclists. As these tours are piloted by volunteers, they must be pre-booked with Cycling Without Age Scotland and they will be subject to the availability of volunteers. They can be contacted on 01324 467 272 or at info@cyclingwithoutage.scot
Day 1: The Helix Park & Kelpies
The Helix Park is an eco-park featuring over 26Km of wide, smooth cycle paths, play areas, an Ebike station and a boating lake. It is also home to the majestic Kelpies. Standing 30 metres tall, the Kelpies are the largest equine sculpture in the world. These iconic steel sculptures are a tribute to the working horses that pulled barges along Scotland's canals. Both the Visitor Centre at the Kelpies and the Helix Plaza Café serve refreshments and have plenty of bike racks outside. The Helix Park has a Changing Places accessible toilet facility at the Helix Plaza Café. Cycling Without Age Scotland offers two trishaw tours (which must be pre-booked) – one exploring the Helix Park and surrounding area, the other to the Falkirk Wheel and back.
Route: Helix Park to Falkirk Wheel circular
Distance: 16km, 2-3 hours
Route: Explore the Helix Park area
Distance: 9km, 1.5-2 hours
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Day 1: The Falkirk Wheel
From the Helix Park, you can cycle or take a trishaw tour to the Falkirk Wheel along the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath. The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift and links the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Celebrating its 20th birthday along with the 200th anniversary of the Union Canal in 2022, the Wheel is an engineering marvel and has become a must-see visitor attraction. Stop for a rest, refreshments, and retail therapy at the Visitor Centre or watch as boats take a trip on the famous Wheel. It also has an E-bike station if you want to drop off or rent a bike. The Visitor Centre at the Wheel has an accessible toilet facility, and the nearest Changing Places accessible toilet facilities are at the Mariner Centre in Camelon. The Mariner Centre is 3.5km from the Falkirk Wheel and not far from the Forth & Clyde Canal.
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Day 2: Callendar House and Park
Callendar House is a stunning French chateau-styled country house set in its own parklands near Falkirk Town Centre. With parts of the house dating back over 600 years, the parkland also features remnants of the Roman Antonine Wall. Wide, flat paths make Callendar Park perfect for trishaws, trikes and inexperienced cyclists. Take a trishaw tour around the grounds. Starting at the car park behind the refreshment kiosk, ride past the historic house, taking in views across the boating lake before following the track through the woodland. After exploring the park, stop at the house to visit the souvenir shop and tearoom.
Route: Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 7 – Callendar Park Loop
Distance: 1.6km, 30 to 45 mins
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Day 2: Zetland Park, Grangemouth
A short drive from Callendar House is another of the area’s favourite parks, Zetland Park. This beautiful Victorian park has been recently refurbished and upgraded to make it more accessible. It now boasts an inclusive play area including a wheelchair swing, and a sensory garden. Its paths are flat and tarmacked, so that they are easy for cyclists of all abilities and can be used by trishaws. Look out for the replica of the Charlotte Dundas, the world’s first practical steamship, as the centrepiece of the new play area. The park also has a Bike Library offering free bike hire and an E-bike station.
Route: Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 8 – Zetland Park
Distance: 2km, 30-45 mins
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Day 3: Kinneil House, Museum and Estate
Experience 2,000 years of history at Kinneil House, Museum and Estate in the historic town of Bo’ness. From Roman times to the industrial revolution, the remnants of a long and rich history can be seen everywhere across the estate. Look out for remains of the Roman Antonine Wall and the ruins of James Watt’s cottage as you cycle or take a trishaw tour round the estate. The beautiful grounds are also home to the iconic Bo’ness Hill Climb, a motorsport event that takes place every summer.
Route: Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 4 – Kinneil House & Grounds
Distance: 3km, 1 hour
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Day 3: Bo’ness Town Centre
After your visit to Kinneil Estate, take a short drive into Bo’ness. This historic coastal town sits on the shores of the Firth of Forth and was once a major Scottish port and centre for heavy industry. While in the town, enjoy lunch or a coffee at local, cyclist-friendly accessible venue The Corbie Inn on the foreshore. Or combine a spot of retail therapy in the town centre with a trip to McMoos Ice Cream Parlour for Desserts and Coffee. You’ll find it next to The Hippodrome, Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema and still in use today.
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Day 3: Bo’ness Foreshore
Take a trishaw tour, hire an E-bike from the town centre or ride your own bike along the flat paths of the Bo’ness foreshore. You’ll ride past The Bo’ness Mining Memorial commemorating over 900 years of coal mining in the area plus other historic sculptures on the path along the shore. You’ll also spot steam trains puffing away at the nearby Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway. This working heritage railway is run by volunteers from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society. Regular passenger trips run from April to October and there is an adapted carriage for wheelchair users. The railway is also the site of Scotland’s largest railway museum and where a new Engineering Workshop Viewing Gallery has been installed, where you can watch the restoration of heritage trains as it happens.
Route: Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 3 – Bo’ness Foreshore
Distance: 8km, 1.5-2 hours
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Day 4 & 5: Clackmannanshire
Nestled between the north shore of the Firth of Forth and the foothills of the beautiful Ochil Hills, the ‘Wee County’ of Clackmannanshire is Scotland’s smallest county. Part of the Forth Valley area, Clackmannanshire is a short drive from Falkirk across the cycling-friendly Clackmannan Bridge. For a small county, it has many attractions. It’s home to the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail, featuring four mediaeval towers, castles, nature reserves and reservoirs, and the Andy Scott Sculpture Trail featuring six unique sculptures from the creator of the majestic Kelpies. Cycling Without Age Scotland offers two trishaw tours to explore the area.
Related resources & routes
Routes
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 1 - Helix Park to Falkirk Wheel
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 2 - Helix Park and the Kelpies
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 3 – Bo’ness Foreshore
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 4 – Kinneil House & Grounds
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 5 – Helix Park to Clackmannanshire
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 6 - Clackmannanshire Chapter to RSPB Black Devon Wetlands Nature Reserve
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 7 - Callendar Park Loop
- Cycling Without Age Scotland Route 8 - Zetland Park
