John Muir Way: Visit The Helix, home of The Kelpies

The John Muir Way stretches more than 300 miles across Scotland from the west coast at Helensburgh to the east coast at Dunbar. It’’s a great route for walkers, runners and cyclists and can be enjoyed over many days. It’s a good idea to book luggage transfer on this long-distance trail.

There are plenty of things to see and do along the way and many people ensure they have extra time to visit some key attractions. The Helix, near Falkirk, in Central Scotland, is a major visitor centre and well worth a trip.

Find out more about the John Muir Way in our informative blog.

21 things to know about The Helix

1) The Helix is a 350-hectare green space located on the John Muir Way between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

2) The Helix was developed as a project to transform and improve the connections between, and around, 16 communities in the Falkirk Council area. This includes the eastern end of the Forth & Clyde Canal and and area near where the canal joins the River Carron.

3) The Helix has smooth paths, which are ideal for walking, running and cycling. You can cycle on some 26km of paths connecting the 16 communities.

4) The Helix has been awarded 5-star visitor attraction status by VisitScotland.

5) The Helix has a Green Tourism bronze award and is currently aiming for gold.

6) The Helix was awarded a Green Flag Award.

7) In 2022, The Helix was given a 100% perfection award as part of a visitor attraction mystery visit programme.

8) The Helix also won the award for Best Visitor Attraction Experience at the VisitScotland Regional Thistle Awards 2022. The park will go on to the National Final next month.

9) The Helix Visitor Centre is open seven days a week and has a shop full of imaginative gifts and cards, plus a Winter Warmer cafe.

10) There are more places to eat and drink, such as at The Plaza Café overlooking a lagoon.

The Kelpies centrepiece at The Helix

11) At the heart of The Helix is The Kelpies, which are the world’s largest equine sculptures.

12) The Kelpies have been named as the 10th most beautiful attraction in the UK.

13) You can’t miss the huge Kelpies and it might that you simply want to sit back on a conveniently positioned bench and enjoy the view.

14) Or you could walk towards the Kelpies and gaze up at the magnificent structures.

15) There are guided tours of The Kelpies – FREE in January 2023 – that reveal the vision of artist Andy Scott and how history and industry combined to create his designs of the amazing sculptures.

16) The tour takes you inside one of the Kelpies to see the incredible engineering from the interior.

What’s more: The Helix & HaRTT

17) There is plenty to do at The Helix, as well as visiting the Kelpies, including fun stuff for kids.

18) In the wider area – and starting from The Helix – you can follow the HaRTT route.

19) HaRTT stands for Helix Around Town Tour.

20) The HaRTT extends to 26km (16 miles) in and around Falkirk.

21) Highlights on the HaRTT include River Carron and Wetland, Abbotshaugh Woods, Dawson Mural, Forth & Clyde Canal (which is part of the John Muir Way), The Falkirk Wheel, Roughcastle Tunnel, the Union Canal, Callendar House and Park, Westquarter Glen, Falkirk Stadium.

Find out more about the John Muir Way and The Helix, home of The Kelpies.

Book the John Muir Way package

Walking or cycling the John Muir Way is a very rewarding outdoor holiday. If you want to discuss this long-distance trail as a multi-day trip, give Highland Transfers a call. We can help with luggage transfer between your overnight accommodations, suggest the right accommodation and stops, and offer a wealth of advice about walking, running or cycling the John Muir Way.