Traffic-Free Cycle Trails by Nick Cotton contains over 400 cycle routes in Great Britain. The Forth and Clyde canal pathway runs between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde and is a 106-kilometre-long (66 mi) footpath and cycleway that runs across Scotland, between Bowling, west of Glasgow, and Lochrin Basin (Edinburgh Quay) in Edinburgh.The path runs on the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals and is entirely off road. As you cycle along this tranquil route you’ll enjoy views of hills which rise to over 1,000 ft. At Falkirk you can link up with the Forth and Clyde Canal which will take you into Glasgow. Check out boat trips, activity providers, holidays, things to do and lots more! The route passes a series of old stone bridges and pretty locks. With an unbelievably vast coastline, towering peaks, rolling lowlands and staggering lochs, cycling in Scotland’s tremendous landscape is inspiring to say the least. It is possible to start at any number of points in Glasgow but on the day we did it last year, we were dropped off at Speirs Wharf in Glasgow. 07807276. There are approximately 1,643 miles (2,644 km) of National Cycle Network routes in Scotland, including 702 miles of traffic-free routes which use a mix of railway path, canal towpath, forest road, shared-use path, segregated cycle lanes and redetermined rural footways. The Great Glen is actually a series of glens filled by lochs which are linked by the Caledonian Canal. Crossing the Scottish Lowlands at the narrowest part, the canal runs for 56km and provides a route for sea-going vessels between the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth via a short stretch of the River Carron near Grangemouth in the east. Lerwick to Scalloway, Shetland East Voe of Scalloway, Shetland Travel from Shetland's principle town of Lerwick to the ancient capital of Scalloway. Join Sustrans Route 78 and cycle from our back door and pedal along the route to the Caledonian Canal. The route connects to National Cycle Network Routes 75 and 756, allowing good onward connections to Glasgow's centre and areas to the north and west of the city. So you can find your perfect Fife bike ride, we’ve reviewed our full collection of cycling routes in the region to deliver the top 20. Cycling UK View Cycling UK welcomes the decision by the Canal and River Trust to allow considerate … Cycling routes in Scotland: The top 20 best biking routes and trails in the region with tips and photos from other cyclists. See the Glasgow to Edinburgh route for full details of this. Ayr Loop. Cycling by water can make us healthier and happier. In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of road biking routes in Scotland to bring you the 20 best rides in the region. The building of a canal across Scotland was first discussed during the reign of Charles II. Canal & River Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission no. Take time to explore the tracks by the river and Loch Dochfour. Pick one route or do them all to make a cycling mini-break. You can calculate cruising routes and times using CanalPlan AC or Clegg’s Canal Time Map. A canal and riverside route which connects Newport with the canal basin at Pontymoel. Reset. Itinerary. Visit advice page. Along the route, you’ll pass interesting sights on the canal … The Great Glen Way is a mountain bike route running 73 miles from Inverness to Fort William. At Dochgarroch the canal and the river meet Loch Dochfour. To calculate the time to cruise between any given places, just count the dots and multiply by 2 hours. Follow the Union Canal towpath from Falkirk to Edinburgh on this super, waterside cycling and walking route. The £19.95m capital investment from Scottish Government will see major works and essential upgrades take place throughout the canal network, safeguarding the heritage assets for the future. Caledonian Canal . Find more advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page. This could be the quintessential English cycle route. Closed in 1963 to avoid the need to construct a motorway crossing, the canal became derelict. Explore the remarkable Union Canal, from the iconic Falkirk Wheel to the historic heart of Scotland’s capital city. To find the one which is right for you, click on any of the Tours to see a full breakdown of its details including elevation profiles and surface analyses, and browse real tips and photos shared by other members of the Komoot community. Routes. The Oakwood Restaurant is a great place for lunch or even just an ice-cream. Join Sustrans Route 78 from our back door, see the full route here. The Canal and River Trust cares for around 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales, while Scottish Canals looks after around 137 linear miles in Scotland. Departure point: Scotland Street Finish: Sandport Place Terrain type: Off-road cycle path Distance: 1.8 miles/2.9 km Approximate time to cycle: 10 minutes Find out more about the Edinburgh city centre to the Shore route 3. The route begins in Leith, Edinburgh at the north-eastern terminus of the Water of Leith until Warriston, then runs southward in Edinburgh City Centre before joining with the eastern terminus of the Union Canal at Fountainbridge.Just after the viaduct at Slateford, the route returns to the Water of Leith until its south-western terminus at Balerno. It's about 20 miles and makes for a nice, easy cycle or walk. It's cheaper than paying for fuel or to hire a car, so leave your car behind and take your bike on the train. Canal cycling routes; Cycling FAQs; Wellbeing by water; Cycling . New Route. It’s pretty tempting. Clegg’s Canal Time Map is an A4 laminated sheet showing the connected UK waterway network divided into 2 hour sections with over 450 places shown. Region Dumfries and Galloway Distance 26 mi / 42 km. Four cathedrals, glimpses of Severn and Thames, the Cotswold countryside, the Ironbridge Gorge… all connected by canal towpaths, railway paths, and miles… An excellent way to see Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is by bike and the Union Canal offers an easy flat cycling route of 32 miles from Edinburgh to Falkirk. Route description: Located at the southern end of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus is a great starting point for a family cycle with its cafés, restaurants, and the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre. Cycling routes around Glasgow: The top 20 best biking routes and trails in the region with tips and photos from other cyclists. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal trail is a beautiful green corridor that’s perfect for a leisurely family day out. No hills, no traffic, a smooth surface, and a perpetual waterside view. Caledonian Canal (from Fort Augustus) Cycling. Traveling by bike is environmentally friendly. At times it runs along the towpath of the Union Canal, a wonderful wildlife corridor and recreational space. Some are for experts only but others are suitable for anyone who fancies strapping on a helmet. 1146792 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. Cycling the Great Glen Way from west to east is the most popular choice but many people choose to start from Inverness too. But consider the flipside: a long rural towpath with mud and ruts. The flat towpath is ideal for an easy cycle or walk in beautiful surroundings. Scotland has an abundance of great cycle routes. What could be better than cycling along a canal towpath? An easy cycle along the Caledonian Canal from Fort Augustus, ideal for a family outing. For bike hire see here. And a long line of anglers encamped on the towpath, each one glowering at you as you gingerly lift your bike over their carbon-fibre poles. Explore the tranquil Forth & Clyde Canal, passing through Scotland’s industrial heartland and vibrant green corridors. £19.95 Million Improvement Works Get Underway Across Scotland's Canals. High Street Bridge Uppermill. Follow the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Loch Dochfour on this waterside walk or cycle in the Scottish Highlands. The Bike Map Website is also a good resource, see here. No shops for miles. Route 75 Map. Annan to Dumfries via Cycle Route 7. When the canal was closed, the top of the bridge's arch was removed so that the road way could be straightened and flattened. Home Routes About. This route gently skirts through lovely countryside along the Solway Firth, with interesting history along the way. The route follows National Cycle Network Routes 7 and 754 so is well signed throughout. Cycling is a fantastic and sustainable way to discover all the beauty that Scotland has to offer. In 1801, the Crinan Canal was opened to link Loch Fyne with the Atlantic Ocean at Crinan so that ships could have a safer route, avoiding a treacherous journey around the Mull of Kintyre. Find the right bike route for you through Falkirk, where we've got 77 cycle routes to explore. The Union and Forth & Clyde Canals, Route 754 is an entirely traffic-free cycle path from Edinburgh to Glasgow. The route follows National Cycle Network Routes 75 and 754 so is well signed throughout. Mercian Way. Cycling in Fife is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore more of this part of Scotland. Crinan Canal. A delightful section of cycle path leads south-west from here to Laggan Locks and takes in Loch Oich, heading along easy-going canal towpaths and the old Invergarry and Fort Augustus railway line. In April 2000 work started on the re-instatement of Wade Lock and High Street bridge. This is a really scenic stretch as you cycle between the canal and the river. Union Canal. Discover some fantastic cycling routes in Scotland. Explore the Forth & Clyde Canal. Today it provides a beautiful cycling experience with some interesting bits … Edinburgh to Bathgate. Trip Summary. Starting at Edinburgh Quay the route passes several aqueducts before finishing at the impressive Falkirk Wheel which is the only rotating boat lift in the world. As such you can cross central Scotland from Glasgow to Edinburgh on traffic free canalside paths. ... More Sustran Cycling Routes in Scotland can be found here. National Cycle Network Route 756 is a well-used commuter route, running along traffic-free paths and some short, on-road sections from East Kilbride to Rutherglen in south-east Glasgow. The Highlands. The route follows National Cycle Network Route 9 along the canal towpath from Newry to Portadown. Through our work we're helping more people enjoy the benefits of cycling alongside some of the country's most stunning waterside scenery. However, it was not until the mid-1700s that the building of the Forth and Clyde Canal, or 'The Great Canal' as it was referred to then, became an actual possibility, with funding being raised to carry out the work. Enjoy views over old mining and lush farmland country on this route to the east of Ayr. Scotland. That's why we work hard to make sure our towpaths are open and accessible, whenever you need them. Go Premium Premium. Scotland Cycle Routes. Cycling routes around Edinburgh: The top 20 best biking routes and trails in the region with tips and photos from other cyclists. FAQ. Union Canal. At Falkirk you can link up with the Union Canal which will take you into Edinburgh. When the canal was originally built, the road twisted across a bridge here. The route starts at the Muirtown Basin in Clachnaharry on the Beauly Firth. The views of the surrounding countryside are great and you should also see lots of water loving wildlife along the way. Start from the centre of Fort Augustus where there’s plenty parking just north of the bridge over the Canal if required. The canal was built across the Central Belt of Scotland from east to west. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of April and September. Cycling in Glasgow and through its surroundings will quickly reveal that Scotland’s second city occupies an absurdly perfect position. This book includes a great variety of routes on former railway paths, canal towpaths and forest trails in England, Scotland and Wales, with every ride away from traffic, and … An alternative route (and I would argue a tougher one if you do the entire route) is via the Sustrans Routes 754 and Route 75 which runs from city centre to city centre alongside the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. 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