Accessibility on the route

We aim to make the route as accessible to as many people as possible. Much of it follows smoothly surfaced paths – disused railways, canal towpaths and cycleways, but some sections are steeper, narrower and rougher and may present obstacles, as might busy roads and junctions. The braided sections for cyclists are generally flatter and smoother, offering greater accessibility. 

We're in the process of looking at the route to see where there are sections that fit with the 'Easy' category as defined in the Path Managers Guide to Grading, developed by Paths for All, Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage in 2014. More information on the grading system can be found on the Paths for All website.

For a path to be identified as easy it should:

  • have a maximum gradient of 1:8 (or 12% or 7.1 degrees)
  • have a generally smooth, firm surface, be well drained and maintained with minimal loose material
  • have a minimum use of steps and be free of narrow gates or gaps
  • have a mostly clear width of 1200mm with short sections down to 900mm width
  • have a total distance of 5 miles / 8km (return route to start point)

Once sections are identified, we'll add them to the interactive map.

 

Multi-Use Access Report

This report originally produced by British Horse Society (BHS) Scotland is a useful resource to help anyone interested in using part or all of the John Muir Way to identify the location and brief details of features which may restrict multi-use of the waymarked route. Whilst the focus of this report is on horseriders, the information on obstructions is equally relevant to a wide range of other users including cyclists, walkers with pushchairs, and people with mobility issues.

DOWNLOAD REPORT

 

Perch Seats

There are now sections that have been improved by having a couple of perch seats installed to give walkers a ‘breather’ before either retracing their steps or carrying on to extend their walk.

They're along the Strathblane section close to the track to Clachan of Campsie (grid reference NS 604786) as well as the section by Lennoxtown near the former hospital (NS 621784). The other location is near Bo’ness along the recently upgraded section from Blackness at the end of the new route by a ruined fisheries building and before entering the woods. This site has good views down the Firth. Grid reference NT 035806.