Walks near Wallasey by train

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Mostly level themed route along quiet footpaths, lanes and woodland tracks to Lathom Park, tracing the path of First World War horses to the Lathom Remount Depot, visiting the historic Lathom Park Chapel.

Warnings: A few stiles and steps.

Walk details: Community Rail Lancashire (PDF).

Recommended: Coast path — Sefton Coastal Path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Coast path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

A largely flat canal route, mainly along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath (a green, tree-shaded ribbon despite nearby roads and industry), with tarmac and earth footpaths and a wildlife area and an aqueduct over the River Alt. Some unavoidable kerbs and narrow cycle barriers. Mostly follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; passes the Rimrose Valley / Brook Vale wildlife area and Aintree Racecourse. Can be split at Old Roan, where there are a few shops and cafes near the station.

Waterway: three quarters along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Time: 3h–6h30

Lunch: A short diversion at Old Roan reaches a few shops and cafes near the station.

Warnings: A stepped footbridge over a main road at the Litherland end (avoidable by crossing at the big roundabout instead); several narrow cycle barriers and a slightly muddy path under the railway.

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.

A scenic route. A scenic, easy-to-follow coastal walk on generally well-maintained paths, leaving Formby through a golf course and pine forest and then following the Trans Pennine Trail beside sand dunes and marram grass before a roadside stretch into Southport. Mostly flat; the woods have rougher pounded-earth paths with rises and falls. Follows the Trans Pennine Trail for a section; both ends are on the same railway line, and the walk can be started from Freshfield station.

Time: 3h30–7h

Lunch: Coffee shops at both ends.

Warnings: There is a footbridge and gated, signalled level crossings near Formby that are not accessible to all; the path can get sandy in places.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

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.

Time: 4h30–9h

Walk details: Slow Ways.