Walks you can reach from Bebington by train

Birkenhead Central Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Cheshire)

7m direct from Bebington.

fab views of the Liverpool skyline. A short, accessible city-centre and waterfront walk through Liverpool's wide, pedestrianised shopping streets to Pier Head, crossing the Mersey by ferry and then along functional roads through Birkenhead. Fully accessible apart from one avoidable flight of stairs near Lime Street and some kerbs on the Birkenhead side. Crosses the Mersey by ferry (a combined bus/train/boat Saveaway ticket can be cheaper off-peak); a riverside path from Woodside, open dawn to dusk, may be a better alternative to the Birkenhead road walk. Both ferry ports have full facilities.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

The route requires the Mersey Ferry — check timetables in advance, as services and terminals can be closed. A flight of stairs soon after Lime Street can be avoided via the slope. Busy road crossings on the Birkenhead side.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Wallasey Grove Road Station to Birkenhead Central Station (Cheshire)

7m direct from Bebington.

the views make it worth it. To the west, across the Wirral to the river Dee and north Wales beyond; to the east, over the Mersey and Liverpool. A route through some of the nicest parts of north Wirral: well-paved residential roads, a Forestry Commission nature reserve, boardwalk across marshy ground, a climb up the sandstone ridge of Bidston Hill with great views, ending through Birkenhead Park. Footpaths can be muddy and even flooded near the railway and the hilltop is often muddy and uneven; foot-only due to terrain and steps. Climbs Bidston Hill past a lighthouse, observatory and old windmill, with ancient rock carvings (a possibly thousand-year-old horse's head). Ends through Birkenhead Park, the first municipal park in England and the inspiration for New York's Central Park. A few shops and pubs at Claughton.

9km.

The footpath alongside the railway lies in a swamp and can be muddy or flooded, though always passable. Access to Bidston station is via a stepped footbridge; a stepped descent into Birkenhead Central.

Lunch: Pubs and shops at Claughton; a visitor centre cafe in Birkenhead Park.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bebington.

A long urban route that swerves the busier highways of the direct route for quieter residential roads, parks and footpaths. Begins on well-paved major roads with good crossings, then takes in residential streets, parks, a disused-railway cutting and a footpath alongside a river. Entirely hard-surfaced and well-paved and but tiring for the feet. Passes through Newsham Park and along the Liverpool Loop Line on the West Derby cutting, a quiet disused railway carved from stone. Shops at both ends and along the route.

16km.

The first mile or so is a busy main road on a slightly uphill slog, and crossing the motorway and roundabout near Prescot is not easy. Some sections have high kerbs and no ramps, and there are steps from Newsham Park onto Lister Drive.

Lunch: Opportunities to buy food and coffee at the dual carriageway about a third of the way along, and more shops near halfway and a pub near a main road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Liverpool South Parkway Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bebington.

A mostly gorgeous route. A mostly flat, well-surfaced route, the bulk of it along a wide paved promenade beside the River Mersey estuary with gorgeous views and plus a short city-centre section and quiet suburban streets with Triassic red-sandstone walls. Fully paved with only short ramps and a brief cobbled section near Albert Dock; suitable for all wheels.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

Lunch: A pub and cafe with toilets at Otterspool roughly halfway; little else on the route, so get coffee and snacks in town.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bootle New Strand Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bebington.

A direct, easy-to-follow route, about half along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath with well-made paths, interesting bridges and former industry and half urban through mainly residential streets into the city centre. Light-controlled crossings make the urban half safe; one section away from the canal has stairs with a short wheel detour.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Neston Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Cheshire)

1h direct from Bebington.

A route of two halves: suburban pavements and housing estates out of Ellesmere Port, then the lovely off-road Wirral Way (a former railway multi-user track) and including a wooded section cut through red sandstone bedrock. Some of the Wirral Way can be wet and muddy underfoot. Slopes of up to 16 degrees on the brook crossing.

13km. Gentle ascents.

Badgers Rake Lane has no pavement and a tricky dog's-leg bend. The busy A550 crossing has traffic lights.

Cafe and toilets at the restored Hadlow Road Station on the Wirral Way; shopping areas at both station ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shotton Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Flintshire)

1h direct from Bebington.

A foot-only route across fields with wet, cloying soil, plus stiles and kissing gates, two lengthy unpaved road walks. Where paved and surfaces are good with crossings and ramps.

17km. Gentle ascents.

The only access to Shotton's lower station is via stairs; there are stiles, kissing gates, two long unpaved road walks and crossings of two busy A-roads. Fields are often wet and muddy.

Lunch: A few shops and pubs along the way, with shops at each end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route