Route 1 - Bantaskin – Canada Woods, Falkirk Tunnel Loop

Length: 7 miles

Route type: Loop

Difficulty: Medium

This 7-mile loop is for experienced cyclists and follows mountain bike trails, farm tracks and canal towpaths for a tour around the forests and farmland of Falkirk and the Union Canal. 

Start your journey at Falkirk High train station. Find the road under the railway line to reach the Union Canal towpath. Turn right to cycle along the towpath, cycling past Summerford Park, until you come to a small stone cottage and bridge. Cross over the canal and join Callendar Estate mountain bike trails. Ride to The Café at Canada Wood and stop here for refreshments or to check out the pump track and bike hire at Greenrig Cycles. From here, you can take a detour to visit the Battle of Falkirk Muir Monument. It commemorates the battle which took place in 1746 between the Jacobites and the Government army. Or, cross over the road and join the trail that will take you through beautiful rolling countryside and the woodlands of Craigburn and Auchengean. 

The route will loop back towards Falkirk from here, taking you towards another local favourite, The Milk Barn. Stop here for some delicious ice-cream made on the premises using milk from the nearby farm. Then continue down the hill through the area of Lionthorn. When you reach Glen Village, re-join the Union Canal towpath. Pass under the 200-year-old ‘Laughin and Greetin’ Bridge, with its carved laughing and weeping faces on either side. Then cycle to the Falkirk Tunnel and dismount to walk through the 630-metre-long tunnel. Emerge from the gloom back where you started at Falkirk High Station.

Map location: FK1 5QX

View route (external website)