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.
Formby to Ainsdale (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Southport.
Recommended: Coast path.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Hightown to Formby (Lancashire)
15 minutes direct from Southport.
Recommended: Coast path — Sefton Coastal Path.
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: 3h–6h30
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: 2h30–5h30
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: 2h–4h
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.