This
walk is a long the Antonine Way
from Twechar to Bar Hill and Croy Hill
running by the Forth and Clyde Canal.
It is a six mile walk with the first half having some steep climbs, but
the second part is easy with much of it on the
towpath beside the canal. On the main access road into Twechar look for
a signpost to the Antonine Way beside the War Memorial on the left and
just opposite a small industrial estate.
Start at this signpost. It is a steady climb before you reach a sign to
Bar Hill Roman Fort.
These way marks bear the John Muir Way logo. This is because the newly
opened John Muir Way follows this part of the Antonine Way.
There is an information panel when you arrive at the outer edge of the
Roman Fort which was built. in the 140s AD. lt housed 480 soldiers
drawn from many parts of the Roman Empire. How the recruits from the
Mediterranean must have felt the cold. The Antonine Wall was abandoned
after 20 years and the troops were withdrawn to Hadrian's
Wall.
The foundations of the Fort’s buildings can be seen and each is
labelled. There are clear views to the north but in other directions
the view is blocked by huge deciduous trees.
The signs now point to a high hill nearby where an Iron Age fort was
situated.
The view from this vantage point eastwards along the wall would be
spectacular if the conifers were removed.
The walk continues along the edge of the huge ditch which the Romans
dug in front of the Wall to impede attackers.
Eventually you cross the road to the Auchinstarry
Marina and continue to follow the John Muir signs to Croy Hill.
From this point on you are on a continuous long climb to the plateau
summit of the hill. It's quite a slog.
Pass a ruined brick building on your right ( not Roman ). About 600
yards further on, on the left of the track, is a low rock with a panel
on it which describes the Roman Croy Hill Fort which
was built here—but there are now no obvious signs of it. On the descent
you soon come to a surfaced path. Take the one
signposted to Auchenstarry and at one point there is a choice between a
broad track going downhill and a narrower one to the
left — both take you to Auchenstarry.
You eventually arrive at the Forth and Clyde Canal. Turn left to arrive
shortly at the Auchenstarry Marina with the
Boathouse available for food and drink. Afterwards, cross the canal by
the roadbridge and head west towards Twechar.
It's a delightful walk by the canal. Water lilies and yellow
irises line the canal.
After nearly a couple of miles you reach the bridge that takes you
across the canal and back to the start.
