Larfal one

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Review of Slow Ways Route Larfal one (Larbert to Falkirk)
I reviewed this route on an early morning in November 2023 (but forgot to upload it until now). From the centre of Larbert, the route heads down South Broomage Avenue and onto Carronvale Road. At the end of the latter, the route heads over the fields via a broad farm track, eventually arriving at Dorator footbridge over the River Carron. The route then turns immediately left and winds along close to the river bank on potentially quite muddy paths. After about 500 metres, a signpost appears indicating the path “To Crematorium and Dorator Road, Camelon”. The route follows this path up a muddy slope and onto a tarmac path leading up to the rear gate of the cemetery. The going is now much easier underfoot as the cemetery is crossed on good roads. There is then a straight path down the east side of the cemetery, leading to Dorator Road and an arch under the railway. After passing through this, the route zigzags down some residential streets to arrive at the big roundabout at the end of Camelon Main Street. A little way beyond the roundabout, the busy A9 can be crossed relatively easily to give access to the canal towpath opposite the Rosebank Distillery. The towpath is followed east (including a short diversion up and down steep steps to cross the railway line), then a footbridge is crossed to reach the intriguingly named Tophill Entry. The route now follows a lane named Bleachfield until immediately after the railway underpass where a left turn leads onto a footpath which skirts behind the Falkirk Council buildings and crosses three car parks to emerge onto Hope Street. After admiring the impressive sandstone façade of St Francis Xavier’s church, the route is followed a short distance to its end on Upper Newmarket Street.

Given the apparent urban nature of this walk, this is a surprising green and varied short walk, with good facilities and transport links at both ends. I walked westbound, and the slightly muddy descent to path alongside the River Carron from the cemetery is easy to miss. However, there is a surfaced parallel path through the park above the river which makes an easily found and mud-free alternative. Within Larbert, the amount of urban road walking can be slightly reduced by taking South Bromage Avenue which leads to a footpath that emerges back onto to existing route. Care is also needed when passing through the Falkirk Council yard towards the Falkirk end - but don't let the barriers for vehicles put you off.

Larbert to Falkirk 1 (Larfal 1) review.

A Slow Way which makes good use of green spaces, including a pleasant stretch of the River Carron.

There is an urban walk from Larbert Station. Carronvale Road becomes a lane between fields, ending at a bridge over the River Carron (Photo 1).

A rough footpath follows the south bank of the river and was muddy in places (Photo 2).

The route ascends through woods (Photo 3) and crosses the extensive Camelon Cemetery (Photo 4).

The Slow Way is then an urban walk through Camelon, a short stretch of the Forth and Clyde Canal, and a lane by a park into Falkirk.

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