Best walks near Runcorn by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in North of England and plan your next day of green.
Lichfield Trent Valley Station Circular via Whittington Heath (Staffordshire)
45m direct from Runcorn.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Golf club, heath, woodland, and Heart of England Way. MOD firing range — check access.
Lunch stops: the Tame Otter (2h–3h30 in), or the Red Lion (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Horse and Jockey, or the Turnpike.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Runcorn.
18km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Parks, river, country park, and canal.
Lunch stop: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Stone Station to Stafford Station (Staffordshire)
45m direct from Runcorn.
14km.
Boggy muddy ground at wetter times of year. Stafford Common is an unusually large surviving common land near a major Midlands centre with origins in medieval townland for grazing, protected by parliament 1839 and 1939. Comparatively busy road at Whitgreave; boggy ground when wet.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Penkridge Station to Stafford Station (Staffordshire)
45m direct from Runcorn.
12km.
Impressive views across southern and central Staffordshire landscape. Walk traverses Staffordshire countryside from Penkridge to Stafford via the ruins of a neo-gothic manor on the site of Stafford's medieval castle. Busy road near Penkridge; care crossing main roads near Stafford.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Water Orton Station to Tamworth Station (Warwickshire)
1h direct from Runcorn.
18km.
Mostly on canal towpaths. Through Anglo-Saxon Mercia's territory, passing sites associated with Queen Æthelflæd. Heavy traffic on narrow ancient bridge across River Tame near Water Orton.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Congleton Station to Kidsgrove Station (Cheshire)
45m from Runcorn, with one change.
11km.
Spectacular views across Cheshire plain. Countryside ridge walk with gritstone outcrops, woodland paths, and fields. Mow Cop is where Primitive Methodism began in 1800 with mass prayer meetings by Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. Stiles and steps; steep downhill sections.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Sutton Coldfield Station to Lichfield City Station (Warwickshire)
1h from Runcorn, with one change.
19km.
Varied suburban and exurban and rural terrain. Connects Sutton Coldfield to historic cathedral city of Lichfield via Anglo-Saxon Shenstone and Roman remains at Wall where Watling Street and Icknield Street met. Camp Road has high traffic, tight bends and heavy lorries; M6 Toll, A5, A5148 crossings; low-hanging power lines.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Wednesbury Great Western Street Station to Wolverhampton Station
1h from Runcorn, with one change.
9km.
Largely paved paths, pavements and canal towpaths through residential streets, industrial estates, a nature reserve, and a former-railway path. Route follows a section of the Monarch’s Way long-distance footpath. Well-served public transport returns to the start. Footpath across wasteland between Walsall and Wolverhampton is ill-kempt with fly-tipping; gap-in-fence section near the mound is tricky to navigate.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Gobowen Station to Chirk Station (Shropshire)
1h from Runcorn, with one change.
Easy: 6km, gentle ascents. 2h.
Canal towpath.