Raploch River
Raploch River Walk
Distance:4 miles/6.5 kms, Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
An easy going, flat walk on pavements and well surfaced paths, taking in many historic sites of the City of Stirling, with views across the River Forth to the Wallace Monument and the Ochil Hills beyond.
Start from the Tourist Information Centre in Dumbarton Road. Cross the road and go up the steps to the Central Library, past the Clock Tower at the end of the Corn Exchange Road, up Baker Street and down Friars Street.
At Murray Place, cross the road at the traffic lights then bearleft down Maxwell Place. Cross Goosecroft Road at the traffic lights and go across the bridge. Follow the pavement on your right which takes you to a picnic area along the banks of the River Forth. Look out for waterfowl such as goosanders and tufted ducks on the river.
Join the pavement at the other side of the grassy area which leads into Abbey Road. Continue to the end of the road, and at the bridge go down steps and along the riverside footpath to the Bowling Club.
Across the bridge is the village of Cambuskenneth. Here you can take the opportunity to visit the remains of Cambuskenneth Abbey built in 1147 (admission free, open daily in summer). James III (who died at the battle of Sauchieburn in 1488) and his queen, Margaret of Denmark, are buried here.
Cross the grassy area and re-join the riverside path, continue past a boathouse and under the railway bridge. Go down through an underpass into the centre of a busy roundabout. Bear right, through another underpass and up to the Old Stirling Bridge. The Old Stirling Bridge (around 500 years old) is one of the best preserved medieval bridges in Scotland. An older wooden bridge (the remains of which can be seen at low water) was the setting for the famous battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.
Do not cross over the Bridge. Instead, join the Raploch Riverwalk along a well surfaced path. Continue to the play area then cross onto Woodside Road and head up to Drip Road. Cross over to Glendevon Drive and follow it to Back O Hill Road.
Cross over the road, turn right and then take the path on the left leading up through woodland onto Ballengeich Road. Cross over the road, turn right then left onto a path along the bottom of the Back Walk. Keep to the lower paths, past Butt Well, the back of the Smith Museum and the Albert Hall, finishing at the Corn Exchange Road.
