Walks you can reach from Southport by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Southport.
Liverpool Circular via Liverpool Cathedral (Lancashire)
45 minutes direct from Southport.
Formby to Ainsdale (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Southport.
Hightown to Formby (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Southport.
Recommended: Coast path — Sefton Coastal Path.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Railwalks.
Seaforth & Litherland to Kirkby (Lancashire)
30 minutes direct from Southport.
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.
Bootle New Strand to Kirkby (Lancashire)
30 minutes direct from Southport.
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.
Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Lunch: Shops at the Black Bull on Rice Lane, and shops at the Kirkby end.
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. The barriers at the Barlow's Lane crossing are very narrow, and parts of the path have subsidence and a steep dip.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Blackrod to Westhoughton (Lancashire)
45 minutes direct from Southport.
A mostly good walk let down in places by poor path maintenance, with industrial-estate streets, a narrow and quite busy lane and a faint footpath that is hard to find. Crosses a busy road near Westhoughton.
Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: From Westhoughton, the busy Church Street is best crossed at a zebra crossing south of the railway bridge. Part of Long Lane is narrow and busy with traffic, so take care.
Walk details: Slow Ways.