Looking for some new adventures you can explore on foot? Well, you’re in luck! There are some incredible walks near Liverpool – some are within the city itself and many don’t require you even leaving Merseyside! Read on to discover my top walks near Liverpool.
No matter what the weather, I always find that if I spend too long indoors I start to go a bit stir crazy. I begin to crave the outdoors, wanting to breathe in some fresh air and stretch my legs on a nice long walk.
Thankfully, living in Merseyside, I’m pretty spoilt for choice if I want to get out and grab some time in the great outdoors. There are plenty of amazing walks less than an hour from Liverpool, and some are even within the city itself!
Just in case you’re like me and need a bit of time outside to recharge your batteries, I’ve put together a list of what I consider to be the best walks near Liverpool. There are 7 in total and they vary in length so I’m pretty sure there’s something here to suit everyone!
Anyway, that’s enough talking. Get those walking shoes on and let’s go!
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Otterspool Promenade to the Pier Head
You don’t even need to leave the city for this walk so it’s great if you don’t want to travel and just want to jump straight in!
You can start this Liverpool based walk either at the Pier Head or at Otterspool. Which end you start at doesn’t really matter, although if you’re driving to get here, I’d personally be taking advantage of the free parking at Otterspool. What does matter, however, is that you stop off for a coffee or ice cream at the café on Otterspool to either fuel your walk or replenish your energy supplies at the end of your walk!
The Otterspool Prom to Pier Head walk takes in the whole of the famous Liverpool Waterfront. Sure, you can just drive down the dock road, but honestly? You’ll see and experience so much more by walking it.
When you walk, you can really take your time to marvel at the iconic buildings that line the waterfront, gaze out over the Mersey watching the boats bob up and down on the waves, and stop off for a wander in the festival gardens along the way. Much better than driving, I’m sure you’ll agree!
Otterspool Prom to Pier Head Walk: Need to Know
If you’re driving to the start of this walk in Liverpool, set your sat nav to Otterspool Park Promenade (L17 5AN) and enjoy some free parking.
If you want to start at the Pier Head, there are a few car parks you can make use of along the Dock Road (including Liverpool One Q Park and the Albert Dock car parks) but all of these options charge a fee which can get pretty pricey depending on how long you park there for.
The walk itself is a fairly long one so be prepared to set aside around 1 hour 30 minutes one way (don’t forget you have to also walk back!). There are benches along the way if you fancy a rest and the walk is pretty flat so pram and wheelchair friendly.
If you don’t fancy walking back, there are always plenty of taxis driving along the Dock Road so you won’t have any issues hailing one down.
Hale Lighthouse Walk
We’re venturing just to the border of Liverpool for this next walk, heading further south to the village of Hale (not to be confused with the other Cheshire village of the same name!).
The Hale Lighthouse walk is a circular route that follows the shore of the Mersey Estuary and takes in the quirky story of Hale’s most famous resident – the Childe of Hale, who was born in 1578 and grew to the heady hights of 9ft 3in! You’ll also spot the impressive structure of the Runcorn Bridge, some beautiful thatched cottages and of course, the now decommissioned Hale Lighthouse. If you’re into plane spotting, you’ll also find the perfect place to set up camp and watch the planes take off from Liverpool Airport!
Oh, and possibly the best things about this walk near Liverpool? It starts and ends at the Childe of Hale pub. Perfect for a pre and post walk drink!
Hale Lighthouse Walk: Need to Know
Parking is limited but you should find somewhere to park around St. Mary’s Church (L24 4AX).
Once parked up, head for Withins Way (L24 4BZ) to start your walk.
The paths are a little potholed in places and if it’s been raining you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing decent shoes so your feet don’t get wet and muddy. Probably not one for prams, but perfect if you have a baby carrier.
The walk is around 5 miles in total so I’d set aside around 1 hour 30 to complete the walk.
Sefton Coastal Path
Moving up to the north of the city next, the Sefton Coastal Path can be as challenging or as leisurely as you want it to be.
If you were to walk the entire Sefton Coastal Path, you’d be taking in around 21 miles of beautiful coastal views, famous art sculptures, vast stretches of sandy beaches and visiting the pinewood home of the Formby red squirrels.
However, I get that not everyone wants to walk a whole 21 miles in one go, and it’s for that reason I love the flexibility of this Merseyside walk.
The route is split into 3 sections:
- Crossens to Ainsdale – see the impressive Southport Pier, salt marshes of the Ribble, the RSPB Nature Reserve and the Jubilee Nature Trail.
- Ainsdale to Hall Road – here you’ll find the Red Squirrel Reserve, the UKs oldest lifeboat station and the beautiful Formby Beach with its incredible sand dunes
- Hall Road to Crosby Marine Park – sit for a while on Crosby Beach overlooking the famous port of Liverpool and spot the famous sculptures of Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place.’ You can also grab a drink or try some watersports at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre.
So yep, if you’re feeling energetic, by all means start the day early and challenge yourself to the entire route! Go you! But if you’re up for a more leisurely stroll and you want to explore each section in a bit more detail, you can hop on and off the trail as you please.
Sefton Coastal Path: Need to Know
Most of this Merseyside walk is on smooth, tarmacked paths so perfect for prams or bicycles.
Each section of the route is easily accessible by public transport. ‘Visit Sefton and West Lancs’ produced a handy guide to the route itself and the public transport options so you can easily plan your perfect day.
Lydiate Loop Walk
Oh I do love a walk that starts and ends with a pub and the Lydiate Loop Walk is no exception!
Staying within Merseyside, we head north to Maghull where our walk starts at the Running Horses Pub. Follow the footpath signposted for Green Lane and you’re on the right track.
One of the reasons I love this walk near Liverpool is that it takes in so much history, wildlife, canal side scenery and of course, good grub.
Here are my walk highlights:
- You’ll walk along the former track bed of the Cheshire Lines Railway (opened in 1884 and closed to passengers in 1952).
- Pass through mosslands – a popular spot to catch sight of some hunting birds of prey in action.
- Walk through woodlands and spy on the old Lydiate Manor House. Built in the 16th century and a derelict ruin by 1940, there is now a farm shop, a coffee shop and a duck pond on site in the old outbuildings.
- Walk along the main road for a short distance and you’ll see St. Catherine’s Chapel – the private chapel of the Ireland Family of the old Lydiate Hall, the grounds of which are often the setting for open air theatre performances in the summer months.
- Just next to the chapel is the oldest inn in Lancashire. The Scotch Piper Inn is thought to date back to around 1320!
- The last leg of the walk will see you take a canal side stroll down a section of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal – the longest canal in the country!
Lydiate Loop Walk: Need to Know
The Lydiate Loop walk is around 8 miles in total so takes around 4 hours. The path is fairly level throughout.
It can be quite confusing to know which way to go in parts. You can buy an Ordnance Survey Map online to help you find your way, or do what we did and just ask the locals out walking their dogs!
Car parking is free at the Running Horses Pub (L31 4EN for your sat nav) – make sure you pop in for a pre and post walk drink (and maybe even some pub grub!).
Wirral Way
I’ve been coming for walks along the Wirral Way for as long as I can remember. Possibly ever since I could actually walk – and most probably in a push chair before that!
Definitely one of my favourite walks near Liverpool, it probably comes as no surprise that this walk is over on the ‘other’ side of the Mersey – The Wirral Peninsula (clue’s in the name really!).
If you were to do the entire route, you’d be walking (or cycling) for around 13 miles. Whilst I appreciate this isn’t going to be everyone’s idea of a fun weekend stroll, you’ll be pleased to know you can just choose to walk sections of it.
The route starts in West Kirby and runs through to Hooton at the other end along the old disused railway line. Somewhere in the middle of it is Wirral Country Park which is my favourite part and the part I know the best.
You can actually join the Wirral Way at Wirral Country Park and that would be my suggestion. You can park (for a small charge) at the Country Park and spend some time exploring the park and the nearby Thurstaston Beach. There’s even a little coffee shop where you can buy a drink, snack or ice cream before you set off on your walk.
If you’re a fan of geocashing, there are LOADS along the Wirral Way so it’s a good way to keep kids (and adults!) entertained during this Merseyside walk. That is if you’re not already too distracted by the stunning views over the Dee Estuary to Wales and the abundance of wildlife attracted to these parts.
Wirral Way: Need to Know
The path along the Wirral Way is mostly flat and in good condition, although it can get a little muddy in wet weather.
If you choose to cycle, you’ll need either a hybrid or a mountain bike – I’ve already tried (and failed!) to do it on a road bike. It is possible to rent bikes from an outlet within Wirral Country Park.
Parking is available for a small fee but just be aware that it can get busy on a sunny day so get there early!
Hilbre Island
Hilbre Island is my top pick for a New Years Day winter walk.
Of course, you can visit the island all year round and it’s just as incredible, but there’s nothing quite like an invigorating slap around the face from the fresh river air to make sure you start the new year with purpose!
It’s a pleasant walk across the wet sands from West Kirby to Hilbre Island – an archipelago and one of just 43 unbridged islands in the UK that can be reached on foot from the mainland. In the summer, it’s possible to see grey seals swimming just off the shore, and it’s a great place for spotting sightings of rare and endangered wildlife all year round.
There isn’t a great deal on the island itself. In fact, there’s just a compost toilet and a rangers house really – oh and some pretty amazing views across the Dee Esturary and over into Wales. Exploring the whole island will probably take just under an hour but it’s a lot of fun, and if you’re like me and spent too much time reading Famous Five books when you were younger, you’ll probably like to imagine you’ve washed up on your very own Kiran Island!
Hilbre Island: Need to Know
Drive or get the train to West Kirby to start this walk. If you’re driving, you can park anywhere on the front by the watersports centre (CH48 0QG for your sat nav) and it’s free of charge. It can get busy here though so if you’re out of luck, try parking in one of the side streets instead.
The walk across to Hilbre is around 2 miles and it takes about 1 hour over wet sands (plus another hour to get back to the mainland again). You’ll probably want to spend around an hour exploring the island itself. Walking shoes / wellies are a must if you don’t want soggy feet.
The most important thing to mention about the walk to Hilbre Island is to CHECK THE TIDE TIMES. As amazing as Hilbre Island is, you don’t want to get stranded there and have to be rescued by the ranger! You need to make sure you leave Hilbre at least 3 hours before high water to give yourself plenty of time to get back. You can check the tide times here.
Best Walks Near Liverpool
I hope that’s given you some inspiration for the best walks in and around Liverpool. If you try any of them out, do drop me a message and let me know!