Walks you can reach from Roby by train
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Liverpool Lime Street Circular via Liverpool Cathedral (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Roby.
Walk details: Rail Rambles.
St Helens Central to Newton-le-Willows (Lancashire)
30 minutes direct from Roby.
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.
Newton-le-Willows to Warrington Central (Lancashire)
30 minutes direct from Roby.
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.
Time: 2h30–5h30
Warnings: Parts can flood after severe rain; several muddy sections, access gates, steps and kissing gates. A couple of road crossings at each end.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Kirkby to Prescot (Lancashire)
6 minutes direct from Roby.
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.