Falkirk Tunnel – Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct loop from Falkirk High

Hiking trails & Routes

Falkirk Tunnel – Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct loop from Falkirk High

Easy

5.0

(2)

hikers

Falkirk Tunnel – Falkirk Wheel Aqueduct loop from Falkirk High

01:56

7.50km

40m

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: October 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

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468 m

Falkirk Tunnel

Highlight • Bridge

The Falkirk Tunnel is 630 meters long, 18 feet wide, 19 feet high and has a 5 foot wide towpath. It passes the Union Canal under Prospect Hill in Falkirk, connecting Falkirk to the heart of Edinburgh. The tunnel was built almost 200 years ago and was originally used to transport coal. Today boaters can explore the Union Canal and eventually the Falkirk Tunnel.
The tunnel now features an improved lighting system using colorful LED and traditional white lights to highlight the Victorian engineering, contrasting with the oil lamps that originally lit the tunnel when it opened. In 2016, a programmable lighting system was installed in the tunnel. Nevertheless, the lighting conditions in the tunnel are not particularly bright, it is more of a diffuse light.
The Antonius Wall runs over the tunnel; it was part of the British Limes and the second large rampart built by the Romans in the north of Britain.

Translated by Google •

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1.78 km

Union Canal

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The Union Canal is a canal in Scotland, running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital. It was opened in 1822 and was initially successful, but the construction of railways, particularly the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, opened in 1842, diminished its value as a transport medium. It fell into slow commercial decline and was closed to commercial traffic in 1933. It was officially closed in 1965. The canal is listed as three individual Scheduled monuments by Historic Scotland according to the three former counties, Midlothian, West Lothian and Stirlingshire, through which it flows.

It shares in the revival of interest in canals generally at the present day, and, as a result of the Millennium Link, was re-opened in 2001 and reconnected to the Forth and Clyde Canal in 2002 by the Falkirk Wheel. It is now in popular use for leisure purposes.

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3.92 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.

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6.00 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 •

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