Walks you can reach from Lea Green by train

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

7m direct from Lea Green.

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

Newton-le-Willows Station to Warrington Central Station (Lancashire)

7m direct from Lea Green.

A route with urban ends and a pleasant rural middle, following the Sankey Canal through good countryside. Surfaces range from tarmac cycle track to unmade, muddy and grassy paths; access gates and steps make it mostly foot-only and parts are liable to flood after heavy rain. Follows the Sankey (St Helens) Canal, considered England's first industrial canal, with remnants of locks along the way; much of the route is a designated cycle route. Free car park at Newton-le-Willows station.

Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.

Parts can flood after severe rain; several muddy sections, access gates, steps and kissing gates. A couple of road crossings at each end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Lea Green.

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

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Liverpool South Parkway Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Lea Green.

A mostly gorgeous route. A mostly flat, well-surfaced route, the bulk of it along a wide paved promenade beside the River Mersey estuary with gorgeous views and plus a short city-centre section and quiet suburban streets with Triassic red-sandstone walls. Fully paved with only short ramps and a brief cobbled section near Albert Dock; suitable for all wheels.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

Lunch: A pub and cafe with toilets at Otterspool roughly halfway; little else on the route, so get coffee and snacks in town.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Birkenhead Central Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Lea Green.

fab views of the Liverpool skyline. A short, accessible city-centre and waterfront walk through Liverpool's wide, pedestrianised shopping streets to Pier Head, crossing the Mersey by ferry and then along functional roads through Birkenhead. Fully accessible apart from one avoidable flight of stairs near Lime Street and some kerbs on the Birkenhead side. Crosses the Mersey by ferry (a combined bus/train/boat Saveaway ticket can be cheaper off-peak); a riverside path from Woodside, open dawn to dusk, may be a better alternative to the Birkenhead road walk. Both ferry ports have full facilities.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

The route requires the Mersey Ferry — check timetables in advance, as services and terminals can be closed. A flight of stairs soon after Lime Street can be avoided via the slope. Busy road crossings on the Birkenhead side.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bootle New Strand Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Lea Green.

A direct, easy-to-follow route, about half along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath with well-made paths, interesting bridges and former industry and half urban through mainly residential streets into the city centre. Light-controlled crossings make the urban half safe; one section away from the canal has stairs with a short wheel detour.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Urmston Station to Eccles Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Lea Green.

A mostly road-based walk rather than off-road and good for a summer day.

Easy: 5km, gentle ascents.

Lunch: Shops along the way for refreshments.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Swinton (Manchester) Station to Eccles Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Lea Green.

A quick, direct route from one high street to another and mixing estate streets and public footpaths with a large newly-laid path through a park. The rough footpath surfaces are well lit and reasonably safe.

Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.

Where the route reaches the busy A580 East Lancs Road, a well-lit underpass a short distance away is a safer crossing than the route as drawn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Eccles Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Lea Green.

A decent urban route, mostly on pavement past shops, with a gradual uphill section and a stretch through Buile Hill Park on wide tarmac paths. Generally accessible and though pavement parking and informal crossings can hamper passage.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: Many shops along the way.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route