Traffic-free and almost level from Edinburgh to Glasgow, this route follows the Union and Forth & Clyde towpaths.
The Union Canal has no locks, therefore no climbing; its sturdy aqueducts help it keep a level all the way from Edinburgh to Falkirk. The F&C has a few locks, but nothing to trouble the legs apart from the steep Maryhill Flight in Glasgow.
The two canals are joined by the spectacular Falkirk Wheel boat lift. Do make time to marvel at this whisper-quiet feat of modern engineering that uses no more electricity than a kettle. The newer ‘kelpies’ are a few miles downstream at Grangemouth’s waterway junction, not directly on the route but an equally worthwhile visit. A rather more prosaic sight is Scotland’s only floating fish and chip shop, on the canal in Glasgow.
You won’t see many boats on the move; the towpaths are busy in urban areas, but there are long rural or semi-rural stretches which are surprisingly quiet.
The towpath surface has been gradually upgraded since the canals reopened in 2001 and it’s now paved throughout.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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Road from Glasgow to Edinburgh
Caught the train Edinburgh to Glasgow very easy to do regular service headed out towards canal route once you find the first sign your good whole route signed very well no need for maps set off with Falkirk wheel being lunch stop wheel head on forwards through the tunnel worth having bike light tunnel were lite but does. Help (ididn’t but would next time)
The rout then does change all be it pathed it not as good as first part over grown make path thin got nettles few times have to walk the aquaducts nothing to worry about but safer then may taking a swim lots of tree root bumps so worth picking your bike type I was on road bike it seemed faster to get to the end of second half but that was because your thinking dodging bits have a bell on your bike it helps
Back in Edinburgh cobbled streets take care slippery when wet
Highly recommend to do