Walks near Chester by train

Hard-surfaced circuit around Flint Castle and along the Wales Coast Path with saltmarsh and Dee Estuary views across to the Wirral.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Flint Castle: The earliest of Edward I's Welsh castles, distinctive for its great detached tower; began the chain of English-built fortresses in Wales.

Flintshire Guardian: Three-metre-tall sculpture at Flint Point looking out across the Dee Estuary toward Hilbre Island.

Dee Estuary: Wide tidal estuary on the North Wales/Wirral border, fringed with saltmarsh and rich in birdlife.

Time: 1h30–3h

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Offa's Dyke Path up to the trig point on Graig Fawr, a National Trust limestone hill with sea views to the Great Orme, and a disused railway line.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Graig Fawr: A National Trust limestone hill above Prestatyn with a trig point and views to the Great Orme, reached via the Offa's Dyke Path.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: A sustained hillside climb with steps and steeper terrain.

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Mostly pavement village loop with a steep climb to Caergwrle Castle and a crossing of the River Alyn on a historic packhorse bridge.

Caergwrle Castle: A 13th-century hilltop castle ruin built in 1278-82 by Dafydd ap Gruffudd, said to be the last castle built by a native Welsh prince.

Caergwrle Packhorse Bridge: Historic narrow bridge over the River Alyn with V-shaped niches in the walls for pedestrians to stand clear of packhorses.

Time: 1h–1h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for half of the walk. Steep climb to the castle.

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Path loop around Hawarden village passing the church, the Gladstone Library and the grounds of Hawarden Castle.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Hawarden Church: Parish church in the centre of Hawarden, typically open to visitors.

Gladstone's Library: Founded in 1902 by Prime Minister W.E. Gladstone; the UK's only residential library and a unique literary institution.

Hawarden Castle grounds: Parkland surrounding Hawarden Castle, William Gladstone's family seat; the public can enter via the main gate.

Time: 1h–1h30

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Out-and-back along the Wales Coast Path from Colwyn Bay to St Trillo's Chapel at Rhos on Sea.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

St Trillo's Chapel: A tiny seafront chapel built over a natural spring thought to be an ancient holy well, with seating for six people.

Rhos on Sea: Coastal village with shops, cafés and a playground at the turnaround point.

Time: 1h30–2h30

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Flat Cheshire field paths through Tatton Park, its meres and mansion, the moated Holford Hall and the town of Knutsford.

Tatton Park: A historic estate with a Georgian mansion, deer park and two meres (Tatton Mere and Melchett Mere) on the edge of Knutsford.

Time: 3h30

Lunch: Tatton Park Mansion courtyard has cafe facilities roughly halfway round.

Warnings: Field sections have several stiles and can be muddy.

Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Pedestrianised Altrincham, the Devisdale, woodland, a golf course and the Bridgewater Canal towpath, near the Dunham Massey estate.

The Bridgewater Canal: England's first major industrial-era canal, completed in 1761, whose tree-lined towpath threads continuously from rural Cheshire into central Manchester.

Dunham Massey: A National Trust Georgian mansion set in a 300-acre deer park, lying just west of the Altrincham circular route.

Time: 2h30

Lunch: Various pubs, cafes and takeaways in Altrincham, plus the Axe and Cleaver and Bay Malton pubs on the route.

Warnings: Take care crossing the golf course; towpath can be very muddy.

Walk details: Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.

Flat pavement and hard-surfaced route through Alyn Waters Country Park, with riverside paths and a weir.

Alyn Waters Country Park: Wrexham's largest country park, with woodland, meadows and the River Alyn running through it.

Time: 1h30–3h

1 lunch spot: Alyn Waters Visitor Centre Café

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Walk details: Rail Rambles.