Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Great North Trail (Central Belt)
- 83 km
- 81 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 81 m
- 83 km
Route overview
This flat and mostly paved 83 km route suits cyclists comfortable with moderate distance and mostly flat terrain.
The Great North Trail (Central Belt) is an 83 km route from Craiglockhart to Kelvindale in the City of Edinburgh, UK.
This 83.3 km point-to-point route starts at Craiglockhart and finishes in Kelvindale. The route is mostly flat, with a high point of 96 m at 43.6 km near Lionthorn and the lowest point at 33 m near the finish. The profile shows 81 m of elevation gain with just 2% climbing and 3% descending, making the ride predominantly flat. Nearly 95% of the surface is paved, with about 4% gravel or unpaved. The route mainly follows cycle paths, covering 73.3 km or 89%, with a small mix of paths, quiet streets, main roads, and minor roads. Notably, 41.8 km is along the Union Canal Towpath and 29.9 km on the Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath. Facilities along the way include cafés roughly every 10-15 km such as Paddle Café at 2.9 km and Falkirk Wheel Cafe at 47.7 km. Shops and supermarkets like Lidl at 1.8 km and Tesco at 29.4 km are nearby. There's a longest stretch without café, shop, or water from 51.6 km to 62 km. Bailout points with stations include Kingsknowe at 0.5 km and Falkirk High at 44.1 km. Bike shops and repair stands are available near 29.8 km and 47.7 km respectively.
Highlights
- Union Canal Towpath for 41.8 km
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath for 29.9 km
- Peak near Lionthorn at 96 m
- Greendykes Bing South Top near 17.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 89% cycle path · 5% path · 2% quiet street · 2% main road
- Main roads
- 1.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 73.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Union Canal Towpath (42 km), Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath (30 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 3% descending · 95% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 1.8 kmLidl · supermarket · 240 m off route
- 2.9 kmPaddle Café · café · 40 m off route
- 9.7 kmCafé Refresh · café · 80 m off route
- 16.7 kmAldi · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 20.4 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 130 m off route
- 29.4 kmTesco · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 29.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 29.8 kmElevation Cycles · bike shop · 180 m off route
- 38.5 kmaran · café · 100 m off route
- 42.9 kmThe Milk Barn · café · 390 m off route
- 47.7 kmFalkirk Wheel Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 47.7 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 50.6 kmLindsay & Gilmour · pharmacy · 110 m off route
- 62 kmThe Boathouse · restaurant · 90 m off route
- 64.8 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 70.3 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 70.6 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 79.4 kmCafé on the canal · café · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.5 km — Kingsknowe (station), 30 m off route
- 14.7 km — Laird's Halt (station), 960 m off route
- 29.5 km — Linlithgow (station), 70 m off route
- 44.1 km — Falkirk High (station), 120 m off route
- 61.7 km — Croy (station), 1.4 km off route
- 70.6 km — Seagull Trust Cruises (ferry), 40 m off route
- 80.8 km — Gilshochill (station), 430 m off route
Worth a stop
- 17.8 km — Greendykes Bing South Top (peak, 127.8 m)
- 35.7 km — Almond Castle (castle)
- 52.4 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 64.8 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 74 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
At the start
- Kingsknowe · station · 500 m
- The Kingsknowe · pub · 470 m
At the finish
- Maryhill Health & Care Centre · clinic · 610 m
- Maryhill Library Station (8213) · bike rental · 700 m
- Maryhill · station · 540 m
- Gairbraid Pharmacy · pharmacy · 760 m
- Subway · fast food · 770 m
Stay after this ride
- Queen Margaret Residences · apartment · 950 m from the finish
- Leonardo Inn Hotel Glasgow West End · hotel · 1.1 km from the finish
- One Devonshire Gardens · hotel · 1.2 km from the finish
- Belhaven Hotel · hotel · 1.4 km from the finish
- Ambassador Hotel · hotel · 1.7 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 6 h 56 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 10.4 km from 51.6 km to 62 km
- 1.5 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.4 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 4% of the route has gravel or unpaved surface
