Best walks near Falkirk by train

Polmont Station to Linlithgow Station (Stirlingshire)

4m direct from Falkirk High.

The highlight of the route is the spectacular Avon Aqueduct. A simple, direct and easy-to-follow walk mostly along the Union Canal towpath, with an uphill section from Polmont at the start and a downhill section into Linlithgow. Good surfaces with no road sections and though the towpath is narrow in places and there are stepped sections in Linlithgow. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Linlithgow has plenty of history to explore.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

The towpath is narrow in places. Stepped sections in Linlithgow may present problems for some, though alternatives exist.

End-of-walk reward: the Granary.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Curriehill Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station (Midlothian)

30m direct from Falkirk High.

A very green, quiet and largely traffic-free route, gently downhill towards Edinburgh for most of the way, with a good surface throughout. It follows the Water of Leith Walkway and then the Union Canal towpath and ending through the city's parks and streets. A few steepish slopes but no stairs; the river path can be muddy in places. Follows National Cycle Route 75 for most of its length and is part of the John Muir Way; the Colinton Tunnel is a highlight. Princes Street Gardens open at 7am and close at dusk.

Easy: 12km, flat terrain.

The Slateford Aqueduct has only a narrow, cobbled towpath with a drop, so take care and be patient when passing others.

Lunch: Cafes near the route at Juniper Green, though most open around 10am.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

East Linton Station to Dunbar Station (East Lothian)

45m from Falkirk High, with one change.

stunning views of the Bass Rock and the North Sea. A gorgeous, flat and easy route on very well-surfaced paths, almost entirely off-road. Passes through farmland, woodland and the Tyne estuary and with a dramatic final clifftop approach to Dunbar along the edge of the golf course and beach. Follows the John Muir Way. Plenty of bird life along the Tyne estuary; look out for seals in Dunbar harbour, and emus and llamas at the back of East Links Family Park.

12km. Moderate ascents.

Ice cream may await on Dunbar High Street.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Longniddry Station to North [Berwick Station](/train-stations/scotland/east-lothian/north-berwick) (East Lothian)

45m from Falkirk High, with one change.

an absolutely beautiful coastal walk, ideal at low tide, with superb and expansive views. A stunning coastal walk along wide sandy beaches, rock lines and headland footpaths, best on a sunny day at low tide (the section to Aberlady can be walked barefoot on the sand). The surface is frequently soft sand and which is not hard going but tiring. The whole route can also be walked at high tide via parallel inland paths.

Tough: 21km, steep ascents.

Do not attempt to wade across Aberlady Bay — lots of soft mud; turn inland to use the footbridge. The soft sand dunes at Gullane can be tricky in poor weather or fading light. Watch for the turn off Gullane Sands across Gullane Links.

Bakeries and ice cream at North Berwick, with facilities and bus services at Aberlady and Gullane; a fish and chip van in the car park north of Longniddry.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dumbarton Central Station to Kilpatrick Station (Dunbartonshire)

45m from Falkirk High, with one change.

excellent views of Bowling Harbour and the Clyde. A very straightforward, level walk following a national cycle route, almost entirely on good surfaces alongside the canal and River Clyde. It includes a beautifully landscaped elevated walk/cycleway over Bowling, tree-shaded cuttings and a section running alongside the railway and ending through suburban streets and a park. Follows a national cycle route, largely free of steps. There is a replica Roman distance stone marking one end of the Antonine Wall near Old Kilpatrick.

8km.

Lunch: Shops and a cafe under the old railway arches at Bowling, plus services accessible from the cycle track about halfway along.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

North [Berwick Station](/train-stations/scotland/east-lothian/north-berwick) to East Linton Station (East Lothian)

45m from Falkirk High, with one change.

Very pleasant route; A lovely, varied route; great views north and south; Lots of vistas both north and south. A lovely, varied and well-surfaced route with very few steep sections and only one set of steps, passing through woodland and farmland with great views north and south. Mostly traffic-free, well-signposted and still direct and used by walkers and mountain bikers. Follows the John Muir Way, signposted all the way; extending to or from Dunbar makes a full day. Passes close by North Berwick Law, well worth climbing. North Berwick and East Linton are both historic and worth exploring.

11km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunblane Station to Bridge of Allan Station (Perthshire)

15m direct from Falkirk Grahamston.

An accessible, attractive walk entirely on roads with a good surface, the central third closed to traffic, through woods on the old Glen Road. A mix of quiet roads and a traffic-free closed road/cycle path and with a footpath that narrows along Glen Road and a bit more of a hill than the alternative route. The traffic-free central section is part of the National Cycle Network spur connecting Bridge of Allan with Doune.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shettleston Station to Stepps Station (Lanarkshire)

30m direct from Falkirk Grahamston.

A simple, direct and mostly enjoyable route through built-up areas and with several parks and green spaces worked in. Molendinar Woods, Cardowan Moss and Frankfield Loch offer an alternative away from the busy Cumbernauld Road.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Gilshochill Station to Bishopbriggs Station (Lanarkshire)

30m from Falkirk High, with one change.

A short, simple route through housing estates on the northern edge of Glasgow and with a short muddy section after wet weather and small patches of woodland. An easy alternative avoids the muddy section via Duncryne Place and Brackenbrae Road.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Milngavie Station to Gilshochill Station (Stirlingshire)

30m from Falkirk High, with one change.

A pleasant start out of Milngavie through countryside around the Rangers Training Centre and crossing some large main roads.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

Crosses some large main roads; take care.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Glasgow Central Station to Shettleston Station (Lanarkshire)

30m from Falkirk High, with one change.

A very direct, varied urban walk full of contrasts, mixing main roads, residential streets, high streets, footpaths, parks and greenspaces through old and new and upmarket and downmarket neighbourhoods. Some steps at the Shettleston end. Passes the Hovis factory and over the St Enoch subway station; intersects many bus routes.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

The wooded entrance to Greenfield Recreation Ground may feel daunting for solo walkers at quiet times. Some steps, including at Shettleston station.

Lunch: Many shops, cafés, takeaways and restaurants, especially around Glasgow Central and Argyle Street; a wide choice of eating around the halfway point near Duke Street, then options thin out until Shettleston.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kelvindale Station to Gilshochill Station (Dunbartonshire)

30m from Falkirk High, with one change.

A fully accessible, step-free, off-road route along the good towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal, over the Kelvin aqueduct and past the Maryhill locks and with not-too-steep inclines and good paving. Two short road sections near the end. A short detour reaches the viewing platform in Stockingfield Park; Gilshochill station has stairs only.

Tough: steep ascents. 2km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route