Walks from Warrington Central

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: 4h30–9h

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied route with nice rural stretches along the Bridgewater Canal and Ship Canal, with occasional views of the Mersey estuary and before the ambience deteriorates in the final third. Mostly level; flights of steps and barriers. No refreshments on the route. Wigg Island offers a view of the new Runcorn bridge with Fiddlers Ferry power station behind.

Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.

Time: 3h30–7h

Lunch: No refreshments along the route.

Warnings: Flights of steps and some barriers.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.