Walks you can reach from Liverpool Central by train

Birkenhead Central Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

7m direct from Liverpool Central.

An urban walk with green breaks through the suburbs of Birkenhead: well-paved residential roads with a gradual uphill start, a pleasant crossing of Mersey Park with river views, an unpaved but quiet road through the historic Rock Park estate. Mostly accessible and though maybe a bit steep in places. Crosses Mersey Park with views over the river to Liverpool, and Rock Park, a once-exclusive private estate of historic houses now bordered by the busy A41. Edges Port Sunlight near the finish. A short diversion at Rock Ferry reaches the old pier and the Refreshment Rooms pub.

5km.

Lunch: Shops along the way; the Refreshment Rooms pub is a short diversion at Rock Ferry.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Wallasey Grove Road Station to Birkenhead Central Station (Cheshire)

7m direct from Liverpool Central.

the views make it worth it. To the west, across the Wirral to the river Dee and north Wales beyond; to the east, over the Mersey and Liverpool. A route through some of the nicest parts of north Wirral: well-paved residential roads, a Forestry Commission nature reserve, boardwalk across marshy ground, a climb up the sandstone ridge of Bidston Hill with great views, ending through Birkenhead Park. Footpaths can be muddy and even flooded near the railway and the hilltop is often muddy and uneven; foot-only due to terrain and steps. Climbs Bidston Hill past a lighthouse, observatory and old windmill, with ancient rock carvings (a possibly thousand-year-old horse's head). Ends through Birkenhead Park, the first municipal park in England and the inspiration for New York's Central Park. A few shops and pubs at Claughton.

9km.

The footpath alongside the railway lies in a swamp and can be muddy or flooded, though always passable. Access to Bidston station is via a stepped footbridge; a stepped descent into Birkenhead Central.

Lunch: Pubs and shops at Claughton; a visitor centre cafe in Birkenhead Park.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bootle New Strand Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

A route that begins with well-paved, gradually uphill road walking through the suburbs, then becomes a green walk on the tarmac path of an old railway, along a canal and through narrow natural paths in undergrowth and with a steep dip in one place. Part of the route follows the Trans-Pennine Trail along an old railway line; it passes Aintree Racecourse.

Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.

The barriers at the Barlow's Lane crossing are very narrow, and parts of the path have subsidence and a steep dip.

Lunch: Shops at the Black Bull on Rice Lane, and shops at the Kirkby end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Bootle New Strand Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

A very short, direct and functional urban route, well-paved with good tarmac footpaths and making good use of green space along the edge of a small park and a detour behind a leisure centre. Flat and fully accessible. A pleasant green detour runs around the back of Bootle Leisure Centre.

Easy: 1km, flat terrain.

Lunch: Shops close to the Bootle end and a single shop at Litherland.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bebington Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

A straightforward but largely suburban route through residential areas and on many roads, broken up by lovely wooded areas: an old railway walk, the wooded Dibbinsdale valley along the River Dibbin, the picturesque village of Port Sunlight. There are some muddy field paths approaching the golf course and making it foot-only. Passes through Dibbinsdale, now a wetland wildlife area with reedbeds, via Otter's Tunnel. Ten stations along the way with frequent services. Refreshments and shops near Bromborough station.

16km.

Hooton Road (B5133) is busy with fast cars and has poor visibility to cross to a narrow, overgrown pavement. Muddy field paths near the golf course.

Lunch: Garden centre on the A41 has refreshments and toilets; cafes and shops near Bromborough station.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

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.

Easy: 12km, gentle ascents.

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.

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Neston Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

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.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hoylake Station to Wallasey Grove Road Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

Beautiful views over the Wales and Hilbre Island. A flat, easy and very accessible coastal walk, mostly on wide concrete or paved seawall and promenade with extensive beach and sea views. A section between the Old Gunsite and Leasowe Lighthouse is unsealed and stony and blown sand can impede wheels in a couple of places. Easy to return on Merseyrail. Refreshments and toilets at Derby Pool, the Green Hut and in Hoylake.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

Watch out for cyclists, as the shared cycle and walking paths are confusing and hard to avoid. Blown sand can impede progress in places.

Lunch stop: the Green Hut.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kirkby Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Liverpool Central.

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

West Kirby Station to Hoylake Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Liverpool Central.

great views over the Dee to Wales and Hilbre. A coastal walk that runs along a sandy beach and firmer paths through reed beds and saltmarsh, with short residential stretches at each end. There is soft sand at the start and end and the sand can be wet near the West Kirby end. Almost the entire route is now part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. The coast here is a nature reserve with abundant birds and plants.

3km.

The beach section should not be walked at high tide; an alternative is signposted along nearby roads when the tide is in.

A healthy number of shops, bars and cafés at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Formby Station to Southport Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Liverpool Central.

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.

13km. Flat terrain.

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

Lunch: Coffee shops at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ormskirk Station to Burscough Junction Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Liverpool Central.

An accessible alternative using shared pedestrian/cycle paths wherever possible, with about 1.25km on the pavement of the main A59. Good pavements and shared-use paths, generally well maintained but narrowing in places and with paths around an industrial estate and through residential areas next to the railway. Largely follows shared-use cycle/walking paths; a parallel linear path beside the railway is due to be completed to replace the A59 walk.

6km.

About 1.25km along the A59 pavement, which narrows in places. No dedicated crossing of the main road at time of writing.

Lunch: Retail park near the Bull & Dog with a coffee shop and supermarkets.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route