The Big Falkirk Loop

Length: 19 miles

Route type: Loop

Difficulty: Medium

Want to make the most of your trip to Falkirk? The Big Falkirk Loop is ideal for families who are visiting for the first time and only have a day to spend in the area. This traffic-free, 30.5 km route takes in all the world-famous new and historic attractions the area has to offer – plus a few hidden gems along the way. Give yourself a full day to enjoy all the sites and to build in time to stop and explore.

Starting in Falkirk Town Centre, you can rent Ebikes on the High Street if you are 16 or over. Take a look at the Falkirk Steeple that marks the centre of the High Street, before cycling down the hill and into Callendar Park. Here you can cycle past the historic grandeur of Callendar House before looping around the boating lake and up to join the woodland trails. See if you can find the Forbes family mausoleum before following the John Muir Way and cycling through the lovely woodlands of Westquarter Glen.

From here, ride towards Falkirk Football Stadium and then on into the Helix Park, home of the majestic Kelpies. The Helix Park is an ecopark that has plenty for kids of all ages to do, including a large Adventure Zone play area, a splash zone and lagoon with boat and peddalo hire and of course, the iconic Kelpies. The world-famous Kelpies are the largest equine sculpture in the world and have become a must-see tourist attraction for visitors to Scotland. Standing 30 metres tall, these two majestic steel sculptures are a tribute to the working horses that pulled barges along Scotland's canals.

After visiting the Kelpies, take the Helix North path and cycle through the woodlands of Cobblebrae and Abbotshaugh. Here you’ll find more sculptures and interactive art installations. Stop and let your children tell the time at the Human Sun Clock, a sundial that works by standing on the metal plate. Also look out for the huge Love & Kisses sculpture, a tribute to the Roman history of the area.

The path will reach the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath. Use the towpath to cycle to the Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk’s engineering marvel linking the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. With a fantastic visitor centre and lots of activities for big and little kids alike, set aside plenty of time to stop and enjoy all it has to offer.

When you are ready to return, cycle back along the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath to Rosebank Distillery, which is in the process of being reopened. Join the road and cycle into the town centre, past Dollar Park and its refurbished war memorial. When you reach the High Street, you can return your bikes to the Ebike station at the Active Travel Centre.

Map location: FK1 1YD

View route (external website)