Walks you can reach from Spital by train

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

A foot-only route, first along a well-paved towpath on the Shropshire Union Canal as far as Stoak, then a lengthy section of country walking across the marshes with sheep and cows, before an unpaved stretch and a track out across Frodsham Marsh. A good open rural route and only somewhat marred by heavy industry at the edge. Begins on the Shropshire Union Canal towpath; crosses Frodsham Marsh.

Time: 4h30–8h30

End-of-walk reward: Plenty of good pubs in Frodsham.

Warnings: A stretch alongside a busy road from Thornton-le-Moors. A foot-only route due to the marsh terrain.

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 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.

Time: 3h30–7h

End-of-walk reward: Cafe and toilets at the restored Hadlow Road Station on the Wirral Way; shopping areas at both station ends.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Urban walking at each end with lovely Wirral countryside in the middle, crossing fields and a variety of gates. The paths between the towns tend to be narrow and rough and some can be muddy with nettles and brambles encroaching in summer and autumn. Foot only.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: Some road junctions are difficult to cross, especially for slower walkers. Paths between the towns are narrow and rough, can be muddy, and have nettles and brambles encroaching in summer and autumn.

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.