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FormbyCrosby

Forcro one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

11km/7mi

Ascent

29m

Descent

33m

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So far it has been reviewed by four people and surveyed by two people and there is one issue flagged with this route.

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Formby and Crosby.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Formby and Crosby.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 4 people.

This route has potentially been flagged (1 time) for reasons relating to access.

Photos for Forcro one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 4

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Access (1)

Downloads - 8

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 2 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 2 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Public toilet (0)
Wheelchair accessible toilet (0)
Supermarket (0)
Restaurant (0)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (2)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (2)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (2)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (2)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (2)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (2)
Train station (0)
Present at time of survey Bench (2)
Maybe present Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (2)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (2)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (2)
Not present at time of survey Wading (2)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (2)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (2)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (2)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (2)
Crops encroaching on path (0)
Maybe present Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (2)
Step and kerbs (0)
Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (0)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (2)
Not present at time of survey Gates (2)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (2)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (2)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (2)
Cycle barriers (0)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (2)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (2)
Not present at time of survey Fords (2)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (2)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (2)
Acceptable road walking (0)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (2)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (2)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (2)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (2)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (2)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (2)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (2)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (2)
Tidal area (0)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (2)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (2)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (2)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (2)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (2)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (2)
Seasonal nesting birds (0)
Other hazards (0)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (2)
Maybe present Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (2)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (2)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 60.0cm (2)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 23.0% (2)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 23.0% (2)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 6.0% (2)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (2)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

15.0% of the route is on roads (2)

15.0% of the route is lit at night (2)

80.0% of the route is paved (2)

There is no data on muddiness

15.0% of the route is over rough ground (2)

10.0% of the route is through long grass (2)

Report a problem with this data

2 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X September 2024 by Strider
Read survey
3X November 2024 by Mary Oz
Read survey

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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Formby
Grid Ref SD2918106845
Lat / Lon 53.55345° / -3.07044°
Easting / Northing 329,181E / 406,845N
What3Words code.join.pink
Crosby
Grid Ref SJ3213199965
Lat / Lon 53.49201° / -3.02442°
Easting / Northing 332,131E / 399,965N
What3Words labels.marked.grades

Forcro One's land is

Arable 13.1%
Intertidal flats 13.6%
Natural grass 35.0%
Urban 38.3%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Mary Oz

28 Nov 2024 Autumn

I walked this route from Formby. If, like me, you arrive at the station from the north, the easiest access to the start of the route is the station footbridge (steps or lifts), but it’s worth looking at the station from the road bridge anyway, for the lovely mosaic nameplate.
A suburban street took me to a section of cycle track, near the start of which there is the choice of a short corner-cut through woods, via kissing gates, but this route uses the tarmac track to reach the long, straight section next to the railway. This section had no escape for a mile, but was fairly busy with friendly locals, walking or cycling.
Hightown Station and Inn (opens at midday) were about a third of the way along the route.
A few more suburban streets (with impractical zigzagging pavements) brought me to the start of the dunes path. Although the plotting is inaccurate through here, it is easy to follow the frequent waymarkers along the sandy, weaving paths through the marram grass. The wind was very gentle and it was very quiet in the dips, sometimes I could hear voices of other walkers but not see them. I found it a lovely atmospheric place, where it was possible to branch off the higher dunes for glimpses of the sea.
The going was easier on reaching the tarmacked cycle track, and the rubble beach looked interesting. I watched a ferry, bound for Ireland, as it passed the wind turbines, failed to identify a distant flock of birds, looked out towards the distant hill of Wales, and then had the peace disturbed by three noisy powered paragliders.
At two thirds of the way through the route, there was a car park, toilets, a coffee vending van, and access to a station. This was also the start of the evocative Antony Gormley statues, dozens of isolated life-sized iron statues, staring out to sea, some half submerged by sea or sand. (My crappy phone-camera doesn’t do them justice.)
Eventually I reached the path off and into Crosby. The route passed lots of affluent housing, then crossed under the railway, with a sloping subway (13⁰ or 23%) and two slalom cycle barriers with a 1 metre gap, and finished near to lots of cafés and shops.
This was an excellent, really enjoyable route and I challenge anyone to walk this route quickly! I took so many photos that it’s difficult to narrow them down.


Strider

21 Sep 2024 Summer

I walked from Crosby to Formby.

This route is not very accurate, especially through the dunes south of Hightown where there is a maze of confusing paths through the hillocks. Keep to the KCIII path marked by regular posts and you wont get lost.

Odd starting point, less than 100m away there are shops and cafes in a pedestrian area with benches.
Suburban walking from Crosby along wide pavements. Underpass at Blundell Sands Station (23%). Over a grassy dune to the coastal promenade. Easy walking with great views. I ventured off the path to get a close look at the 'Another Place' statues and do some beach combing. Check tide times if you want to do the same. After the life boat station the KCIII path is clearly marked and there is a newish cycle path through the grassy common. I walked to the side as the grassy path was kinder on the feet. There are beaches of building rubble made quite attractive by the softening effect of the waves. Muddy flats provide good views and feeding grounds for heron, egrets, oystercatchers and flocks of murmurating turnstones. Take binoculars if you have them. At the point the cycle path turns inland the KCIII path continues north through dunes and you loose sight of the sea. Follow the signposts and you wont end up in Hightown too early or on the mudflats. Alas you have to turn into town to avoid being shot or blown up (there are signs to tell you this). I took a route past the Corner shop and pub. From the station there is a long straight cycle path next to the railway with a short diversion through a wood. This takes you to Formby station (lifts over the railway).
Not for wheels - narrow soft sandy paths.
I've uploaded a more accurate version. And an accessible version too.


Hiking Historian

29 Jun 2024 Summer

A good walk, but a few steps and copious amounts of sand will mean it's not for everyone.

From Formby station, we take steps down to the residential road below (it can be stepless if you follow the slope of the road bridge, but it's a bit longer). After a few paved roads, we reach tarmac paths which take us south, past woods and fields until we're running alongside the railway and the rifle range of Altcar.

At its end, we follow the paved drive to the rifle range into Hightown. Passing the station, we walk along residential roads until we access the footpath. A sandy path running through a mass of spiky marram grass, there are all kinds of paths here, but the main path is marked by regular wooden posts (it's part of the Coastal Path).

Once you've negotiated the sand, the path becomes tarmac, and we follow the coastal path past the hidden remains of Fort Crosby and the interesting coastal defences, formed from building debris of homes and businesses destroyed in the Blitz and its associated clear outs. Past the Coast Guard post, it becomes a promenade, with great views across the mouth of the Mersey estuary and out into the Irish Sea, and also of Antony Gormley's Another Place, a series of statues running along a mile of Crosby's beach.

The promenade can sometimes be covered by sand, blown over the concrete on the frequent storms, but we're soon following a sandy footpath across the scrub to the road at Blundellsands, and continuing to the station, with links to Southport or Liverpool.

A good coastal route with great views (and head-clearing wind!). Good transport links, with shops at both ends, and a pub in Hightown.


Walker99

26 Aug 2021 Summer

Overall, an easy, flat route, mostly well surfaced and signposted. The exceptions are the section south of Hightown which is hard to follow and not very accessible and the Crosby town centre section which is busy.
Formby Station to Sanderling Park – suburban streets with pavements, quiet traffic. From the station there is direct access to the start at Andrews Lane through a pedestrian tunnel at the south end of the northbound platform.
Sanderling Park to Hightown – off road, car free, well surfaced path shared with cyclists. Well signposted. Runs alongside a military base for much of the way with ‘keep out’ warnings but no impact on the path.
Hightown Pub – good stop for refreshments
Hightown to Blundellsands Sailing Club – tricky to work out the route from Thornbeck Avenue. Then there is a maze of narrow undulating sandy paths and it's not clear which to follow. Keep the sea on the right side though (if heading south) and you can’t go far wrong.
Blundellsands Sailing Club to Crosby Coastguard Station – first a wide grassy path and then a well surfaced car free path shared with cyclists. Fantastic views over Liverpool Bay to the Wirral and the Clwydian Hills in North Wales.
Crosby Coastguard Station to Blundellsands Road West – promenade walk alongside the ‘Another Place’ statues in the sand. Honest Coffee Shop in the Burbo Bank Car Park en route. Its not clear when to turn left inland from the promenade but if you get to Crosby Leisure Centre you’ve gone too far
Blundellsands Road West to Great Crosby (Blundellsands Road East, Eshe Road, College Road, Coronation Road, The By-pass) - quiet suburban streets with pavements then busy town centre streets with several crossings needed. The pedestrian tunnel under Merseyrail at Blundellsands station is quite narrow and low. Plenty of shops and cafés for refreshments on this section.

  • Mary Oz

    Mary Oz

    28 Nov 2024

    Routes should not be flagged for access unless they are inaccessible to everyone.

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