Walks you can reach from Liverpool James Street by train

Birkenhead Central Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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)

15m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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

Bebington Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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

Neston Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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)

30m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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

West Kirby Station to Hoylake Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Liverpool James Street.

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

Shotton Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Flintshire)

45m direct from Liverpool James Street.

A foot-only route across fields with wet, cloying soil, plus stiles and kissing gates, two lengthy unpaved road walks. Where paved and surfaces are good with crossings and ramps.

17km. Gentle ascents.

The only access to Shotton's lower station is via stairs; there are stiles, kissing gates, two long unpaved road walks and crossings of two busy A-roads. Fields are often wet and muddy.

Lunch: A few shops and pubs along the way, with shops at each end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route