Walks you can reach from Sandhills by train

Bootle New Strand Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

5m direct from Sandhills.

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

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

5m direct from Sandhills.

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

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

5m direct from Sandhills.

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

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

7m direct from Sandhills.

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

Kirkby Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Sandhills.

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

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

15m direct from Sandhills.

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

Formby Station to Southport Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Sandhills.

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 Sandhills.

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

Southport Station to Burscough Junction Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Sandhills.

A long route mixing well-paved residential roads, earthen and tarmacked footpaths, long unpaved embanked roads with no verges, field paths crossing turf fields and farmland, with stiles and little footbridges and level crossings. The final section follows a canal and drops into reedbeds. Can be split at New Lane station, which the route passes.

17km. Flat terrain.

A long, unpaved and often busy verge-less road built on embankments, including a humpback bridge over an old railway line that hides oncoming vehicles to the last minute, makes for a hair-raising and potentially dangerous section. Two level crossings with stair-stile access.

Lunch stops in burscough: the Farmer's Arms, or the Slipway.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route