How to Walk the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh
We’d be surprised if visiting the Forth Road Bridge even entered your mind on your trip to Edinburgh, however we are here to change that!
With so many things to do near Scotland’s capital, simply walking across a bridge seems a bit unusual.
Well, once you learn a bit more about it and the awesome views you get, I’m sure you’ll add it to your travel list.
Keep reading to find out all you need to know.
History
There has been a fixed crossing across the Firth of Forth at Queensferry ever since 1890 when the amazing Forth Rail Bridge was constructed.
This was fine for those looking to cross the water by train but for everyone else, a ferry service was required if they didn’t want to make the long journey inland.
After the War, cars were becoming extremely common. Therefore it was decided that a new crossing was required in the area and construction started on the Forth Road Bridge in 1958.
When the Forth Road Bridge eventually opened in 1964 it held the record for being the longest bridge in the world outside of the USA!
Spanning over 2.5km, the bridge was one of Scotland’s largest (and most expensive) engineering projects ever.
The bridge was in constant daily use by tens of thousands until wear and tear got the better of it a few years ago – it simply wasn’t designed for the number of cars that would end up using it.
These days the only vehicles allowed across are buses, taxis and bikes – everything else has to use the brand new Queensferry Crossing which is just next door.
How to Get There
Car
When we visited, we arrived by car and parked in the incredibly handy Forth Bridge Visitors Centre Car Park. There was plenty of space and they even had spots to recharge electric cars.
From here you can access the viewpoint and the bridge within a couple of minutes.
If parking is full here, you will be able to park in the town and walk up.
Walking
The small town of Queensferry is less than one mile away from the entrance to the Forth Road Bridge meaning you can walk here easily.
Once you’re done exploring all the shops, cafes and sights of Queensferry, simply walk west aiming for the bridge. You’ll eventually find a ramp that winds its way up to the entrance.
Train
Queensferry can be reached easily by train from almost everywhere in Scotland. Depending on where you are coming from, most trips here will have a connection through Edinburgh which is a great excuse to spend time in the capital too.
When planning your trip remember that Queensferry is serviced by Dalmeny Train Station. From here it is only a 10 to 15 minute walk down into the town.
Don’t confuse it with North Queensferry Station which is way over on the other side of the water.
Things to do
When you arrive at the entrance, take a minute to enjoy the view from the Forth Bridges Viewpoint.
This area near the car park gives commanding views over the water and of the three bridges.
Once you’ve made your way down and onto the bridge you will be welcomed by spectacular views towards the Forth Rail Bridge. This is one of the best vantage points you can get of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site so make sure to soak it in.
Don’t just stop here though as you will find much better ones once you get onto the bridge itself.
If you are there on a sunny day, you’ll find plenty of small boats sailing around 46 metres below you – are you brave enough to look straight down though?
Since the bridge caters mostly to pedestrians you will find quiet and peaceful while walking. On the odd occasion that a bus passes over, you may feel the bridge shake a tiny bit – don’t worry, this is all by design!
When you have soaked in all the views, you can either continue your walk to the other side or stop halfway, its completely up to you.
Nearby Things to Do
When you’ve had your fill of bridges for the day, why not keep the adventure going by checking out these other places which are nearby:
Inchcolm Island and Abbey – By taking a ferry from Queensferry you can visit the uninhabited island of Inchcolm which is home to the best preserved monastic buildings in the country as well as abandoned WW2 fortifications.
Blackness Castle – Follow the water westward and you’ll eventually come upon Blackness Castle close to the town of Linlithgow. This castle is around 600 years old and was constructed to resemble a ship earning it the nickname ‘the ship that never sailed’.
Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital city is only ten miles away and has an abundance of things to do. You could easily spend a week here and still not see everything but if you are only there for the day then focus on the impressive Edinburgh Castle and exploring the old town.
Falkirk – This up-and-coming town is about a 25 minute drive from Queensferry and would make a great stop on your adventure. The main sights are the world-famous Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel, but you should also check out Callendar House and Park if you have the time.
