Walks near Maghull by train

Mostly level themed route along quiet footpaths, lanes and woodland tracks to Lathom Park, tracing the path of First World War horses to the Lathom Remount Depot, visiting the historic Lathom Park Chapel.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: A few stiles and steps.

Walk details: Community Rail Lancashire (PDF).

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Short, flat: the village of Rufford, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust's Mere Sands Wood (42 ha of lakes, woodland, wildfowl and waders) and Tudor Rufford Old Hall.

Mere Sands Wood: A 42-hectare Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserve of lakes and woodland rich in wildfowl and waders.

Rufford Old Hall: A timber-framed Tudor hall in the care of the National Trust.

Walk details: Community Rail Lancashire (PDF).

Recommended: Coast path — Sefton Coastal Path.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Coast path.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

Waterway: three quarters along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Coffee shops at both ends.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long route with a very enjoyable, good-surfaced opening section to Bamber Bridge and with a minor road to cross and a narrow 62 cm gap. Avenham Park near the start has free toilets.

Time: 7h (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 lunch spot: the Green Hut

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An alternative that stays on the Bridgewater Canal all the way to Stockton Heath before entering Warrington and making a very nice canal walk between the urban areas.

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route using quiet roads (with pavements until past Treales) for the first third and the Lancaster Canal towpath for most of the rest and generally very pleasant though the first canal section can be very muddy after rain. A flight of shallow steps down to the towpath; the canal becomes more urban approaching Preston. Passes the entrance to the Millennium Ribble Link, a canalised river opened in 2002 connecting the Lancaster Canal to the River Ribble; detour possible at Haslam Park.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: the Hand and Dagger, or the Final Whistle cafe

Warnings: The first stretch of the canal path can be very muddy after rain. The first half of the canal is within the emergency zone for the Westinghouse nuclear fuel works (test siren on the first Tuesday of certain months).

Walk details: Slow Ways.