California Dreaming (5.5 miles)
The ex-mining village of California sits on a ridge behind Falkirk, within the historic county of Stirlingshire. A mineral railway ran down to Maddiston and on to a junction with the main line. This route now forms a public right of way through woodland and fields. From Maddiston Post Office, walk a short distance downhill and take the signed tarmac path to the left after the bridge over the Manuel Burn. The area is popular with local dog walkers and the smooth surface runs for a few hundred yards before becoming a woodland trail.
Keep to the straight line of the railway, ignoring any offshoots. The gradient is slightly uphill for the duration of the walk. Open agricultural terrain is encountered and the path runs alongside a shallow cutting that must have contained the rail tracks. After another stretch of woodland, we arrive at B8028 just outside California. Turn right and follow the pavement into the village. A shop is located on Princes Street just off the main road. A little further ahead in the centre stands the sign that welcomes visitors to the Sunshine Village. At this point, it's worth wandering a quarter mile along the path for nice views over the treetops of the Forth Valley. Reverse your route back to Maddiston and the falling gradient makes it easy going.
