Walks you can reach from Helsby 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).

Coast path — North Wales Path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

An alternative that stays on the Bridgewater Canal all the way to Stockton Heath before entering Warrington and making a very nice canal walk between the urban areas.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A foot-only rural route: a well-paved towpath along the Shropshire Union Canal as far as Stoak, then a lengthy section of open country walking across marshes grazed by sheep and cattle, paved roads through Thornton-le-Moors, a track out across Frodsham Marsh into Frodsham. A good open rural route and only somewhat marred by heavy industry at the edge.

Time: 5h–9h30

End-of-walk reward: Frodsham is full of good pubs and historic buildings; shops at both town ends.

Warnings: Marsh terrain and livestock make it foot-only.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A superb, mostly off-road walk along the historic St Helens/Sankey Canal towpath (tarmac or metalled earth) through peaceful countryside and with the canal a string of pools and reedbeds. Largely accessible to wheels and cycles with some width restrictions and sometimes stony or muddy surfaces; one steep tarmac climb and a stepped footbridge at Earlestown. Follows the St Helens/Sankey Canal, passing the Sankey Viaduct (George Stephenson's monument, the first major railway bridge in the world), old locks, and the 'Mucky Mountains' spoil heaps of the former vitriol works, now reclaimed by nature. Stations at both ends with working lifts.

Waterway: three fifths along the Sankey Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Shops, pubs and eateries at both ends.

Warnings: Crossing the railway at Earlestown uses a stepped footbridge, making the route foot-only.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coast path — North Wales Path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

A good, direct route mostly on the Wales Coast Path, with a lovely, bleak and remote saltmarsh section overlooking the Dee Estuary at the Flint end - which can get muddy and may flood at very high tides, with bridges and duckboards over the wettest parts. About 40-50% is unavoidable pavement walking on main roads through the middle and with wide pavements and well-chosen crossings; the exit at Shotton uses a high stepped railway bridge. Mostly follows the Wales Coast Path. The Dee Estuary saltmarsh is rich in birdlife - curlew, oystercatchers, great egrets seen. Flint Castle and lifeboat station near the Flint end.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

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.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Lunch: A couple of quirky-themed cafes about 2km in; pubs and takeaways near Shotton station and in Flint.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. The saltmarsh path east of Flint may flood at very high tides, with bridges/duckboards over the wettest parts that may be hard to reach without treading in mud. A high railway bridge with steps on both sides at Shotton. Watch for dog mess on the railside path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Good views in all directions. A flat, easy seafront walk along a concrete promenade, nearly all tarmac or sand, with sea and coastal views. Many access points and benches and beach access along the way. The Prestatyn end is the start of the Offa's Dyke footpath. Both stations have disabled access.

Coastal: nine tenths along the coast.

Time: 2h–4h

Lunch: Easy access to coffee and toilets along the promenade.

Warnings: Watch for cyclists and dogs along the shared promenade. Note: flood-defence works have closed sections of the coast path between Rhyl and Prestatyn.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

A varied route with nice rural stretches along the Bridgewater Canal and Ship Canal, with occasional views of the Mersey estuary and before the ambience deteriorates in the final third. Mostly level; flights of steps and barriers. No refreshments on the route. Wigg Island offers a view of the new Runcorn bridge with Fiddlers Ferry power station behind.

Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.

Time: 3h30–7h

Lunch: No refreshments along the route.

Warnings: Flights of steps and some barriers.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 4h30–9h

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

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.