Walks you can reach from Helsby by train

Ellesmere Port Station to Frodsham Station (Cheshire)

4m direct from Helsby.

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.

18km. Gentle ascents.

Marsh terrain and livestock make it foot-only.

Frodsham is full of good pubs and historic buildings; shops at both town ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Frodsham Station to Warrington Central Station (Cheshire)

4m direct from Helsby.

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.

18km.

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Frodsham Station to Cuddington Station (Cheshire)

4m direct from Helsby.

Tough: steep ascents. 13km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Runcorn Station to Warrington Central Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Helsby.

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.

13km. Moderate ascents.

Flights of steps and some barriers.

Lunch: No refreshments along the route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shotton Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Flintshire)

30m direct from Helsby.

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

Neston Station to Shotton Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Helsby.

great views. A varied rural route through pretty Wirral villages, scenic views over the Dee Estuary to the Welsh hills, a mix of terrains — well-paved sections, field paths, farm tracks, the tarmac Millennium Greenway and quiet unpaved lanes uphill into Burton. Some boggy and muddy sections around Shotwick Hall Farm and the farm track between Shotwick and Deeside; the marshes flood at high spring tides. Links with cycle and walking routes from Shotton and the Wirral Way at Neston; the navigation around the two Shotton stations is well described in the successor route.

15km.

Several sections along roads with no pavements, including blind corners between Denhall and Burton (light traffic). Field crossings can be very muddy. The marshes flood at high spring tides. Field-path terrain makes it foot-only.

Lunch: Food and toilet options on the route: convenience stores in Neston and Shotton, pubs in Little Neston and Shotton, and cafes in Denhall and Puddington.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Flint Station to Shotton Station (Flintshire)

30m direct from Helsby.

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.

9km.

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.

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

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

30m direct from Helsby.

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

St Helens Central Station to Newton-le-Willows Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Helsby.

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.

10km.

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

Lunch: Shops, pubs and eateries at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Newton-le-Willows Station to Warrington Central Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Helsby.

A route with urban ends and a pleasant rural middle, following the Sankey Canal through good countryside. Surfaces range from tarmac cycle track to unmade, muddy and grassy paths; access gates and steps make it mostly foot-only and parts are liable to flood after heavy rain. Follows the Sankey (St Helens) Canal, considered England's first industrial canal, with remnants of locks along the way; much of the route is a designated cycle route. Free car park at Newton-le-Willows station.

Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.

Parts can flood after severe rain; several muddy sections, access gates, steps and kissing gates. A couple of road crossings at each end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Rhyl Station to Prestatyn Station (Flintshire)

45m direct from Helsby.

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.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

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

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Manchester Oxford Road Station to Levenshulme Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Helsby.

A direct urban route mostly on pavements through residential streets, passing interesting architecture and small parks and avoiding the busiest roads. Mostly flat and easy underfoot. Passes the Victoria Baths and Elizabeth Gaskell's house, and near the Alan Turing statue and Chinatown Arch; good bus links and shops en route.

6km.

Lunch: Lots of places to stop along the way.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route