Walks you can reach from Bryn by train

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

15m direct from Bryn.

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

St Helens Central Station to Lea Green Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bryn.

A short town-to-town route: leaves the centre on a tarmac canal towpath, climbs onto higher ground, crosses a retail park and then takes a tarmac track and an earth-and-stone path that can be wet and muddy through Sherdley Park before broad park paths lead to the station.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Foot-only route due to the footpath into Sherdley Park; a road near Grove's Dam is prone to flooding though passable on foot.

Lunch: Plenty of shops and places for refreshment in the retail park mid-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Prescot Station to St Helens Central Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bryn.

A mostly urban route that avoids the busy roads of the direct alternative, using quieter residential streets, cycle routes and footpaths, with the best sections through a park and woodland and a wildflower meadow at Thatto Heath. A short steep section through woods; one large puddle to skirt; finishes alongside a disused canal. Crosses Thatto Heath Meadows nature reserve, full of wildflowers and overlooking St Helens, where moorhens, coots and a cormorant were seen. Finishes alongside the disused St Helens Canal.

7km.

About a mile of main road near Prescot. Thatto Heath nature reserve has cycle barriers and a stile.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bryn.

A long urban route that swerves the busier highways of the direct route for quieter residential roads, parks and footpaths. Begins on well-paved major roads with good crossings, then takes in residential streets, parks, a disused-railway cutting and a footpath alongside a river. Entirely hard-surfaced and well-paved and but tiring for the feet. Passes through Newsham Park and along the Liverpool Loop Line on the West Derby cutting, a quiet disused railway carved from stone. Shops at both ends and along the route.

16km.

The first mile or so is a busy main road on a slightly uphill slog, and crossing the motorway and roundabout near Prescot is not easy. Some sections have high kerbs and no ramps, and there are steps from Newsham Park onto Lister Drive.

Lunch: Opportunities to buy food and coffee at the dual carriageway about a third of the way along, and more shops near halfway and a pub near a main road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Prescot Station to Lea Green Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bryn.

A mostly uninteresting road walk with one short footpath section. Almost entirely accessible and with the odd stretch lacking ramps or low pavements.

Easy: 5km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kirkby Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bryn.

A mixture of paved foot/cycle path and bridleway, mostly on the Kirkby Valley Greenway and through shady wooded areas and with sections running alongside the M57 motorway. A gradual final ascent towards Prescot. Plenty of facilities at start and finish.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

The final section includes a busy roundabout and motorway sliproad to negotiate; crosses the busy East Lancs dual carriageway.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route