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John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland
Western Section
Helensburgh to Falkirk
7 nights and 6 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Where in the UK is the John Muir Way?
John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland
a Scottish Coast to Coast route
From Helensburgh via Loch Lomond to Falkirk
WESTERN SECTION
The John Muir Way walking holiday on the Western Section from Helensburgh to Falkirk is a 60.5 mile way-marked walking trail. The route can be walked in either direction and for those looking for a longer walking holiday it can be linked to a walking holiday on the West Highland Way.
This John Muir Way walking holiday uses a mixture of public footpaths and canal towpaths. The route is mainly low-level with moderate gradients and no seriously long climbs. The highest point is Gouk Hill at 885 feet (270 m) above sea level.
The western section of the route is in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
John Muir (1838-1914) the pioneer, traveller, mountaineer and father of the United States’ national parks, was born in Dunbar, Scotland.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates April to September and in either direction.
These daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
John Muir Way Walking Holiday
Helensburgh to Falkirk
Suggested Tour Duration:
7 nights, 6 days walking
Total Distance:
60.5 miles
Min/max daily distance:
8/13.5 miles
Average Daily distance:
10 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
Loch Lomond
Falkirk Wheel
The Kelpies
Forth and Clyde Canal
This route connects with:
West Highland Way
John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland
Western Section
Helensburgh to Falkirk
The Scottish Coast To Coast walking holiday
7 nights and 6 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: arrive Helensburgh
To start your walking holiday on John Muir Way walking trail you make your own way to Helensburgh, Scotland. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday on John Muir Way. The town Helensburgh is located on Scotland’s West Coast close to the entrance to Gare Loch. Helensburgh is the location of The Hill House an outstanding Arts and Crafts house designed by famous Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is well worth a visit.
Day 2: Walk Helensburgh to Balloch 9 miles
Walking on from Helensburgh perhaps take time to visit Hill House the hiking trail passes very close. The hiking trail then leads to Gouk Hill at 270 m the highest point of todays walk with wonderful views over the Firth of Clyde and Loch Lomond. Then descending to the town of Balloch on the banks of Loch Lomond. Balloch has a selection of shops. cafes and inns it’s also a great place to take a boat trip on Loch Lomond.
Optional Day: Extra day in Balloch
Enjoy a relaxing day in Balloch maybe take a boat trip on Loch Lomond.
Day 3: Walk Balloch to Croftamie 8 miles
Walking on from Balloch the John Muir Way follows Loch Lomond for a short distance. Then via Balloch Castle and its Country Park the walking trail heads east away from Loch Lomond. Before reaching Croftamie the end of todays walk.
Day 4: Croftamie to Strathblane 10 miles
Walking on from Croftamie the John Muir Way joins The West Highland Way walking trail for a short distance. On route you may want to visit The Glencoyne Scotch Whiskey Distillery. The trail then follows the banks of the small Carbeth Loch before reaching Strathblane for your overnight stop.
Day 5: Strathblane to Kirkintilloch 8 miles
From Strathblane the hiking trail follows The Strathkelvin Railway Path. Todays walk offers great views of the Campsie Fells and the high point in the distance of Earl’s Seat. On roure the trail passes through Lennoxtown with its selection of shops and cafes before reaching the large town of Kirkintilloch your overnight stop.
Day 6: Kirkintilloch to Bonnybridge 13.5 miles
The John Muir Way passes two Roman Forts on route at Bar Hill Fort and Croy Hill Fort that formed path of the Antonine Wall dating back to 140 AD. The trail follows the Forth and Clyde Canal into Bonnybridge.
Day 7: Bonnybridge to Falkirk, via The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies 11.5 miles
Walking on from Bonnybridge the walking trail passes another Roman Fort of the Antonine Wall at Rough Castle. The Falkirk Wheel is soon reached, this interesting structure lifts canal boats 115ft/35m from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal and is well worth a visit. Many clients then follow the Forth and Clyde Canal to reach The Kelpies. The Kelpies are 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures depicting the horses formally used to pull canal boats along the canal.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
Depart after Breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the area.
Helensburgh to Falkirk
in Scotland UK
8 day itinerary
6 days walking and 7 nights
Suggested Itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Helensburgh | |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Helensburgh | |
| Day 2: | Helensburgh to Balloch | 9 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Balloch on Loch Lomond | |
| Day 3: | Balloch to Croftamie | 8 miles |
| Day 4: | Croftamie to Strathblane | 10 miles |
| Day 5: | Strathblane to Kirkintilloch | 8 miles |
| Day 6: | Kirkintilloch to Bonnybridge | 13.5 miles |
| Day 7: | Bonnybridge to Falkirk, via Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies | 11.5 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Falkirk | |
| Day 8: | depart Falkirk |
8 day itinerary 7 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2024 | £833 | £1,246 | £1,386 |
| 2025 | £833 | £1,246 | £1,386 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £64.00 per person
depending on location
This 141 mile walking route is from Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland. Dunbar is the birthplace of John Muir, the father of the United State’s national park.
This is one of our Coast to Coast Walking Holidays in UK, one of our Canal Walking Holidays, and also one of our Scotland Walking Holidays.
What’s included
in your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- map of John Muir Way
- Rucksack Reader’s guide to John Muir Way
Optional Extras
for your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks, where available
What’s not included
in your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
- trip on Falkirk Wheel
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
John Muir Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there
- By Plane to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport
- By Car to Helensburgh or Falkirk where parking is available
- By Train / Bus to Helensburgh or Falkirk
This 141 mile walking route is from Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland. Dunbar is the birthplace of John Muir, the father of the United State’s national park.
This is one of our Coast to Coast Walking Holidays in UK, one of our Canal Walking Holidays, and also one of our Scotland Walking Holidays.
