National Cycle Route 754
- 94 km
- 146 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 146 m
- 94 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for a long distance route with low climbing and mostly paved surfaces.
National Cycle Route 754 runs 94.4 km from Clydebank to Edinburgh in West Dunbartonshire, UK, nearly flat with 146 m climbing.
National Cycle Route 754 starts in Clydebank, passing through numerous suburbs and towns including Kilbowie, Drumry, Maryhill, Kirkintilloch, and Falkirk, before reaching Edinburgh. The route is mostly flat, with only 2% climbing and 1% descending, peaking at 89 m around 79.6 km. The route profile is gently undulating without sustained steep gradients. The surface is 94% paved, with 5% gravel or unpaved and 1% unmapped sections. Most of the route (87%) is on cycle paths, including the Union Canal Towpath for 43.7 km and the Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath for 36.3 km. Other sections include paths, quiet streets, main roads, minor roads, and tracks. There are 1.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 1.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Amenities along the route include cafés such as Cafe 81 near the start at 0.9 km, the Falkirk Wheel Café around 41.6 km, and several others near Linlithgow and Edinburgh. Shops like Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi, and Spar are found along the way, with the longest stretch without a café, shop, or water lasting 10.3 km between 27.4 km and 37.7 km. There are several bailout points including Clydebank Station at the start and Kingsknowe Station near the end.
Highlights
- Union Canal Towpath for 43.7 km
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath for 36.3 km
- Falkirk Wheel Café at 41.6 km
- Peaks near the road: Castle Hill, Bar Hill, Croy Hill
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 87% cycle path · 7% path · 2% quiet street · 2% main road
- Main roads
- 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 81 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Union Canal Towpath (44 km), Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath (36 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 1% descending · 97% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0.9 kmCafe 81 · café · 50 m off route
- 4.6 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 6.1 kmLock 27 · pub · on the route
- 10.1 kmCafé on the canal · café · on the route
- 19.1 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 19.3 kmChapeau Cycles · bike shop · 90 m off route
- 38.7 kmLindsay & Gilmour · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 38.8 kmJET · petrol station · on the route
- 41.6 kmToilets · on the route
- 49.3 kmTesco · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 59.3 kmToilets · 250 m off route
- 59.4 kmLUCS Canal Tea Room · café · 50 m off route
- 59.7 kmTesco · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 72.4 kmAldi · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 79.4 kmCafé Refresh · café · 80 m off route
- 89.6 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 89.8 kmAsda · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 92.5 kmM&D Green Pharmacy · pharmacy · 150 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Clydebank (station), 340 m off route
- 6.8 km — Kelvindale (station), 60 m off route
- 18.9 km — Seagull Trust Cruises (ferry), 60 m off route
- 43.3 km — Camelon (station), 1.3 km off route
- 50.8 km — Polmont (station), 210 m off route
- 59.6 km — Linlithgow (station), 80 m off route
- 74.5 km — Laird's Halt (station), 970 m off route
- 88.6 km — Kingsknowe (station), 40 m off route
Worth a stop
- 24.5 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 29 km — Craigmarloch Stables (ruins)
- 36.8 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 53.5 km — Almond Castle (castle)
At the start
- McMonagles Fish & Chips · restaurant · 80 m
- The Food Warehouse · supermarket · 320 m
- Asda Café · café · 250 m
- Clydebank · station · 340 m
- Asda · supermarket · 280 m
At the finish
- Laid Back Bikes · bike shop · 160 m
- KUBA · café · 130 m
- Main Street Beanery · café · 140 m
- Fettle · bike shop · 300 m
- Viewforth Express · convenience store · 180 m
Stay after this ride
- Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge · hotel · 130 m from the finish
- Castle Park · guest house · 140 m from the finish
- Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End · hotel · 160 m from the finish
- The Town House · guest house · 160 m from the finish
- Fountain Court EQ2 · hotel · 180 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 6 h 45 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 10.3 km from 27.4 km to 37.7 km
- 1.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.3 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limits
- 5% gravel or unpaved surface