Road · United Kingdom
Helix Around Town Trail
A rolling 25 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Bainsford, Falkirk through Grahamston, Camelon and Lochgreen, with 115 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 78% is mapped as paved and 20% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 25 km
- Elevation gain
- 115 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 47 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Bainsford
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 115 m
- 25 km
Route description
- Bainsford
- Grahamston
- Camelon
- Lochgreen
- Lionthorn
- Falkirk
- Redding
- Westfield
- Langlees
- Bainsford
The Helix Around Town Trail is a 25 km loop starting and finishing in Carron, passing through numerous communities including Bainsford, Camelon, Falkirk, and Stenhousemuir. The route climbs gradually to its highest point of 104 m near Glen Village at 9.2 km and then descends to its lowest point at 3 m near 21.5 km. The first half of the ride contains 86% of the elevation gain, with gentle gradients as the steepest 500 m section is only 5%.
Surface is a mix of 78% paved roads and 20% gravel or unpaved sections. The route consists mostly of paths (66%), cycle paths (21%), some track (6%), quiet streets (4%), and only 3% on main roads. A stretch from km 15.2 to 17.7 has no café, shop or water for 2.5 km. Amenities are well spaced along the route, including cafés at 4.6 km and 21.1 km, fast food near the start and at 9.3 km, and several convenience stores. Bike repair stands and toilets are also available at a few points.
Highlights
- Falkirk Wheel near 4.6 km
- Highest point 104 m at Glen Village 9.2 km
- Antonine Wall ruins near 15.1 km
- Longest descent 2.3 km from 11.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 66% path · 21% cycle path · 6% track · 4% quiet street · 3% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 5.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 78% is mapped as paved and 20% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 13% climbing · 14% descending · 73% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 11.7 km, dropping 53 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 37 cafés and restaurants, 28 shops, 1 water point, 2 petrol stations, 6 public toilets and 8 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.5 kmGreggs · fast food · 380 m off route
- 0.5 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 280 m off route
- 2.1 kmEsso · petrol station · 200 m off route
- 3.1 kmShopLocal · convenience store · 100 m off route
- 4.6 kmFalkirk Wheel Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 4.6 kmToilets · on the route
- 4.6 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 9.3 kmTop Fry · fast food · 160 m off route
- 9.3 kmNew Hallglen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 150 m off route
- 13.7 kmAli's Store · convenience store · 140 m off route
- 15.2 kmBeijing Banquet · restaurant · on the route
- 17.7 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 430 m off route
- 21 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 100 m off route
- 21 kmRepair stand · 100 m off route
- 21.1 kmThe Milk Barn · café · 50 m off route
- 21.1 kmThe Horsebox · kiosk · 60 m off route
- 21.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 24 kmEsso · petrol station · 260 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 1.7 km — Falkirk Grahamston (station), 880 m off route
- 8.3 km — Falkirk High (station), 130 m off route
Worth a stop
- 4.6 km — Falkirk Wheel (attraction)
- 15.1 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- The Carron - Grouse Inn (500 m), Greggs (590 m)
- Shops
- Londis (520 m), Co-op Food (550 m)
Know before you go
- 2.5 km without café, shop or water from 15.2 km
- 0.7 km on main roads
- 20% gravel or unpaved surfaces
