Forcro one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Forcro here.

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.

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.

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