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Antonine Wall Earthworks – Falkirk Wheel loop from Bonnybridge

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Hiking trails & Routes

Antonine Wall Earthworks – Falkirk Wheel loop from Bonnybridge

Moderate

5.0

(1)

hikers

Antonine Wall Earthworks – Falkirk Wheel loop from Bonnybridge

02:43

10.3km

100m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 1.01 km for 19 m

After 5.25 km for 12 m

After 5.51 km for 12 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.95 km

Antonine Wall Earthworks

Highlight • Historical Site

The Antonine Wall, known to the Romans as Vallum Antonini, was a turf fortification on stone foundations, built by the Romans across what is now the Central Belt of Scotland, between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. Representing the northernmost frontier barrier of the Roman Empire, it spanned approximately 63 kilometres (39 miles) and was about 3 metres (10 feet) high and 5 metres (16 feet) wide. Security was bolstered by a deep ditch on the northern side. It is thought that there was a wooden palisade on top of the turf. The barrier was the second of two "great walls" created by the Romans in Northern Britain. Its ruins are less evident than the better-known Hadrian's Wall to the south, primarily because the turf and wood wall has largely weathered away, unlike its stone-built southern predecessor.

Construction began in AD 142 at the order of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and took about 12 years to complete. Antoninus Pius never visited Britain, whereas his predecessor Hadrian did. Pressure from the Caledonians may have led Antoninus to send the empire's troops further north. The Antonine Wall was protected by 16 forts with small fortlets between them; troop movement was facilitated by a road linking all the sites known as the Military Way. The soldiers who built the wall commemorated the construction and their struggles with the Caledonians in decorative slabs, twenty of which still survive. The wall was abandoned only eight years after completion, and the garrisons relocated back to Hadrian's Wall. In 208 Emperor Septimius Severus re-established legions at the wall and ordered repairs; this has led to the wall being referred to as the Severan Wall. The occupation ended a few years later, and the wall was never fortified again. Most of the wall and its associated fortifications have been destroyed over time, but some remains are still visible. Many of these have come under the care of Historic Scotland and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Tip by

3.25 km

Rough Castle Fort

Highlight • Historical Site

Built as part of Rome’s northernmost frontier, Rough Castle was a small earth and timber fort on the Antonine Wall. Only occupied for around twenty years it was seemingly attacked around AD 155 and, when the Romans re-established the frontier on Hadrian’s Wall in the AD 160s, the fort was abandoned.

Tip by

3.40 km

Rough Castle Fort and Lilia Pits

Highlight • Viewpoint

Rough Castle might be one of the smallest forts built along the Antonine Wall, but it is one of the best-preserved and offers a fascinating insight into Roman life. Around the fort, you can see the tallest surviving section of rampart, defensive lila pits (the holes in the ground), a short length of the Military Way, and many ditches and gateways.

Tip by

5.06 km

Falkirk Wheel

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world. This feat of engineering stands at 115 feet (35 m) tall and, using the power of eight domestic kettles, transfers boats 79 feet (24 m) through the air between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. Boats must then ascend another 36 feet (11 m) through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. There is a visitor centre here with facilities and information on the Wheel.

Tip by

5.18 km

Falkirk Wheel Food Stalls & Cafés

Highlight • Restaurant

The Falkirk Wheel and surrounding area is managed by Scottish Canals. They licence a variety of catering trailers at the wheel, these include coffee and snacks most days and wood fired pizza in the evening. It's handy to be able to grab a coffee and watch the wheel at the start or after a run.

Tip by

5.39 km

View of the Falkirk Wheel and Information Board

Highlight • Viewpoint

Not only you'll have an interesting view of the Falkirk Wheel from this highlight, you'll also be able to relax on a bench and/or have a look at a map of the surroundings, including various paths and landmarks.

Tip by

6.89 km

The Emperor's Wall (Antonine Wall)

Highlight • Structure

The Roman Antonine Wall was the northern frontier barrier of the Roman Empire. The Wall was a turf fortification built from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde between AD 142 and AD 154. The Antonine Wall was 39 miles long, had a height of 10 feet and possessed a 12 feet deep ditch on its northern side for extra security.

After nearly 1900 years of weathering, the section of the Antonine Wall near to Bonnybridge is remarkably well-preserved and is worth visiting. The remains of the Wall’s deep ditch that ran east-west are especially clear.

Tip by

7.10 km

Roman Defensive Pits at Antonine Wall

Highlight • Historical Site

8.05 km

Antonine Wall

Ruins

10.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.60 km

3.14 km

3.12 km

381 m

Surfaces

3.68 km

2.84 km

1.41 km

1.20 km

1.01 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 13 July

19°C

9°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

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Comments

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Antonine Wall Earthworks – Falkirk Wheel loop from Bonnybridge

Antonine Wall Earthworks

Rough Castle Fort

Rough Castle Fort and Lilia Pits

Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk Wheel Food Stalls & Cafés

View of the Falkirk Wheel and Information Board

The Emperor's Wall (Antonine Wall)

Roman Defensive Pits at Antonine Wall

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