Walks you can reach from Shotton by train

Neston Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Shotton.

A route of two halves: suburban pavements and housing estates out of Ellesmere Port, then the lovely off-road Wirral Way (a former railway multi-user track) and including a wooded section cut through red sandstone bedrock. Some of the Wirral Way can be wet and muddy underfoot. Slopes of up to 16 degrees on the brook crossing.

13km. Gentle ascents.

Badgers Rake Lane has no pavement and a tricky dog's-leg bend. The busy A550 crossing has traffic lights.

Cafe and toilets at the restored Hadlow Road Station on the Wirral Way; shopping areas at both station ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Neston Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Shotton.

Urban walking at each end with lovely Wirral countryside in the middle, crossing fields and a variety of gates. The paths between the towns tend to be narrow and rough and some can be muddy with nettles and brambles encroaching in summer and autumn. Foot only.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

Some road junctions are difficult to cross, especially for slower walkers. Paths between the towns are narrow and rough, can be muddy, and have nettles and brambles encroaching in summer and autumn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Rhyl Station to Prestatyn Station (Flintshire)

15m direct from Shotton.

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

Helsby Station to Frodsham Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Shotton.

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 Shotton.

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 Shotton.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ellesmere Port Station to Frodsham Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Shotton.

A foot-only rural route: a well-paved towpath along the Shropshire Union Canal as far as Stoak, then a lengthy section of open country walking across marshes grazed by sheep and cattle, paved roads through Thornton-le-Moors, a track out across Frodsham Marsh into Frodsham. A good open rural route and only somewhat marred by heavy industry at the edge.

18km. Gentle ascents.

Marsh terrain and livestock make it foot-only.

Frodsham is full of good pubs and historic buildings; shops at both town ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Frodsham Station to Warrington Central Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Shotton.

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.

18km.

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Frodsham Station to Cuddington Station (Cheshire)

30m direct from Shotton.

Tough: steep ascents. 13km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Llandudno Station to Colwyn Bay Station (Caernarfonshire)

30m direct from Shotton.

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 Shotton.

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

Runcorn Station to Warrington Central Station (Cheshire)

45m direct from Shotton.

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.

13km. Moderate ascents.

Flights of steps and some barriers.

Lunch: No refreshments along the route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route