Walks you can reach from Garswood by train
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St Helens Central to Newton-le-Willows (Lancashire)
6 minutes direct from Garswood.
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.
Kirkby to Prescot (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Garswood.
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.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 3h–6h
Warnings: Follows a busy road for half of the walk. The final section includes a busy roundabout and motorway sliproad to negotiate; crosses the busy East Lancs dual carriageway.
Walk details: Slow Ways.