Flisho three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Mainly signposted as Wales Coast path (except for small deviation over a stepped footbridge and minor tarmac path near Dee View Road Connahs Quay). Unfortunately a lot of road/pavement walking.

I started from Flint, which looked an interesting place, with a castle and intriguing old buildings along the main road centre. The marshes were lovely, with a bleak, remote feel, overlooking the Dee Estuary and the Wirral. Despite a lot of recent wet weather, and a recent very high tide, my feet, in waterproof trail shoes, stayed dry, although boots might have been better. The marsh had bridges or boardwalk across the wettest parts. I saw/heard curlew, oyster catchers and great egrets. Leaving the marsh area, there was a pedestrian level crossing to negotiate.
Unfortunately, about 40%-50% of the route is along main roads, but it is the most direct route and is probably the best available as it is all part of the Wales Coast Path. The pavements are wide, and the crossing places indicated are all well-chosen and defined. The huge power station and cable-stay bridge are notable structures that you can’t miss!
Where the route finally left the road again at Golftyn, I briefly struggled to find the path – it was right alongside some housing the far side of the car sales yard, and not through the car sales yard as indicated on the OS Map.
The stepped footbridge over the railway gave a great view of the awesome Flintshire Bridge, but I needed to look out for dogmuck along the footpath alongside the railway. After this it was fun being next to the estuary again, and the Connah’s Quay wharf area.
From here it was not far into Shotton and the end of the route by the station, shops and pubs.
This route has a lot to commend it, but I wish there was a way of avoiding all that main road.

Safe and mostly direct. I started this route from Shotton, which is well connected with trains from three different directions. The high street has a couple of pubs, a few takeaways and a number of Eastern European supermarkets if you need supplies. It's not long until you're headed away, over the stepped railway bridge into a park which leads to the Wales Coastal Path and the River Dee. It's here that things become truly interesting, as you get a sense of the nautical heritage of the place as well as the local quarrying. At 2km in, there are a couple of cafes with quirky themes. In Connahs Quay, the route joins the main road which, if you follow the plotting, never runs out of pavement. There's some time away from the main road as you pass the power station but then you rejoin it to enter Flint. The section of pavement into Flint is the least enjoyable of the walk as the road is busy, but there are a few interesting historical buildings on the way. Leaving the main road, and using a level crossing you reach the best, and muddiest section of the walk as you experience the wide open space of the Dee Estuary. There are views over to the West Wirral and to the Irish Sea. It is popular with other walkers and is rich in sea birds. A promenade leads to Flint Castle and the Life Boat Station and it's a short walk into town from there. The meeting place is by the busy station. There are pubs and takeaways nearby.

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