Walks you can reach from Flint by train

Shotton Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Flintshire)

6m direct from Flint.

A foot-only route across fields with wet, cloying soil, plus stiles and kissing gates, two lengthy unpaved road walks. Where paved and surfaces are good with crossings and ramps.

17km. Gentle ascents.

The only access to Shotton's lower station is via stairs; there are stiles, kissing gates, two long unpaved road walks and crossings of two busy A-roads. Fields are often wet and muddy.

Lunch: A few shops and pubs along the way, with shops at each end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Neston Station to Shotton Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Flint.

great views. A varied rural route through pretty Wirral villages, scenic views over the Dee Estuary to the Welsh hills, a mix of terrains — well-paved sections, field paths, farm tracks, the tarmac Millennium Greenway and quiet unpaved lanes uphill into Burton. Some boggy and muddy sections around Shotwick Hall Farm and the farm track between Shotwick and Deeside; the marshes flood at high spring tides. Links with cycle and walking routes from Shotton and the Wirral Way at Neston; the navigation around the two Shotton stations is well described in the successor route.

15km.

Several sections along roads with no pavements, including blind corners between Denhall and Burton (light traffic). Field crossings can be very muddy. The marshes flood at high spring tides. Field-path terrain makes it foot-only.

Lunch: Food and toilet options on the route: convenience stores in Neston and Shotton, pubs in Little Neston and Shotton, and cafes in Denhall and Puddington.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Rhyl Station to Prestatyn Station (Flintshire)

15m direct from Flint.

good views in all directions. A flat, easy seafront walk along a concrete promenade, nearly all tarmac or sand, with sea and coastal views. Many access points and benches and beach access along the way. The Prestatyn end is the start of the Offa's Dyke footpath. Both stations have disabled access.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Watch for cyclists and dogs along the shared promenade. Note: flood-defence works have closed sections of the coast path between Rhyl and Prestatyn.

Lunch: Easy access to coffee and toilets along the promenade.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Llandudno Station to Colwyn Bay Station (Caernarfonshire)

30m direct from Flint.

A fairly direct route over fields, farm tracks and through woods, with some little-used and hard-to-follow paths, narrow sections with steps and tree roots, a final stretch along the beach promenade. Despite the coast and much of it feels inland.

Tough: steep ascents. 9km.

One slightly awkward crossing of a busy road (detour uphill to a pelican crossing if needed). A steep descent on a narrow path with steps and head-high thorns.

Lunch stop: the Queens Head.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Llandudno Junction Station to Colwyn Bay Station (Caernarfonshire)

30m direct from Flint.

lots of coastal views and some variations in terrain through woods; great views of misty hills and the Conwy river meeting the sea. An uncomplicated inland walk with two relatively steep climbs and descents, through quiet roads, sheep-grazed fields with stiles and woodland paths. The woodland sections avoid stretches of road and are much more pleasant than the road alternatives.

Tough: steep ascents. 7km.

The section passing the Welsh Mountain Zoo runs along roads without pavements, with poor visibility and no verge, busy at rush hour; the woodland path through Pwllycrochan Woods avoids the worst of this.

Lunch stops: the Mountain View Hotel, or the Pen y Bryn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Helsby Station to Frodsham Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Flint.

A rural mix of quiet roads, field tracks, meadows and a path through Castle Park and with an uphill climb out of Helsby and a lengthy mostly-unpaved road walk. A track along a brook (tarmac with soil and mud in places) leads to the main road; narrow hedged footpaths between meadows. Steps and stiles.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Field-path gates and kissing gates make it a foot-only route. One section of road walking, though well used with good sight lines.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ellesmere Port Station to Helsby Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Flint.

A foot-only route, first along a well-paved towpath on the Shropshire Union Canal as far as Stoak, then a lengthy section of country walking across the marshes with sheep and cows, before an unpaved stretch and a track out across Frodsham Marsh. A good open rural route and only somewhat marred by heavy industry at the edge. Begins on the Shropshire Union Canal towpath; crosses Frodsham Marsh.

16km. Gentle ascents.

A stretch alongside a busy road from Thornton-le-Moors. A foot-only route due to the marsh terrain.

Plenty of good pubs in Frodsham.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Helsby Station to Cuddington Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Flint.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Llandudno Junction Station to Llandudno Station (Caernarfonshire)

30m direct from Flint.

Peace, beauty, nature and fabulous views west towards Anglesey; Great views over north Wales and Eryri/Snowdonia. A coastal walk with fabulous views west towards Anglesey and Eryri/Snowdonia, following the Welsh Coast Path around the Conwy estuary and along the promenade and beach. Mostly good surfaced and stile-free paths, but one short section through dunes below the golf course is deep and shifting sand that impedes progress. Follows the Welsh Coast Path along the east edge of the estuary.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

A short dune section below the golf course is deep, shifting sand, slow going. Two large (but not threatening) loose dogs were seen here.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Conwy Station to Llandudno Junction Station (Caernarfonshire)

30m direct from Flint.

superb views over the Afon (River) Conwy; the views of the estuary and the castle were lovely. A short, easy and accessible route, well-paved throughout with superb views over the Afon Conwy estuary and passing historic buildings on the walk down through Conwy and across the bridge. There is one flight of steps near the A55 which can be avoided via a slope or the roundabout. Includes some concrete underpasses near Llandudno Junction. Rail services at Conwy can be sparse, so check the timetable. A pedestrian suspension bridge offers an alternative crossing.

Easy: 1km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Penmaenmawr Station to Conwy Station (Caernarfonshire)

45m direct from Flint.

the scenery is magnificent. A peaceful route mostly away from traffic that climbs three-quarters of the way up Conwy Mountain on a stony track, with uneven and muddy paths and magnificent views. There is a fair amount of walking on roads without pavements, mostly quiet or in 30mph zones and the ascent and descent are not too steep. Overlaps slightly with the Wales Coast Path High-Level Route. Regular daily trains and buses link Conwy and Penmaenmawr. The Sychnant Pass is a highlight.

Tough: steep ascents. 7km.

Some roads have no pavement; mostly quiet but stay alert. The bridge over the railway near Conwy is narrow with no pavement, so wait for a gap in the traffic. Higher paths through the heather can be narrow and uncomfortable. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Conwy Station to Llanrwst Station (Caernarfonshire)

45m direct from Flint.

Tough: 25km, steep ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route