Flint to Shotton
A station-to-station walkFlintshireWales
A good, direct route mostly on the Wales Coast Path, with a lovely, bleak and remote saltmarsh section overlooking the Dee Estuary at the Flint end - which can get muddy and may flood at very high tides, with bridges and duckboards over the wettest parts. About 40-50% is unavoidable pavement walking on main roads through the middle and with wide pavements and well-chosen crossings; the exit at Shotton uses a high stepped railway bridge. Mostly follows the Wales Coast Path. The Dee Estuary saltmarsh is rich in birdlife - curlew, oystercatchers, great egrets seen. Flint Castle and lifeboat station near the Flint end.
Coastal: three quarters along the coast.
Flint Castle: The earliest of Edward I's Welsh castles, distinctive for its great detached tower; began the chain of English-built fortresses in Wales.
Lunch: A couple of quirky-themed cafes about 2km in; pubs and takeaways near Shotton station and in Flint.
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. The saltmarsh path east of Flint may flood at very high tides, with bridges/duckboards over the wettest parts that may be hard to reach without treading in mud. A high railway bridge with steps on both sides at Shotton. Watch for dog mess on the railside path.
