Heshul one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 50.00% of reviewers

Again, a varied walk but it wasn’t particularly enjoyable. I found walking near the A63 particularly difficult, and if you are walking with people who may find loud noises or alot of vibrations difficult, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s also hard to hear if anyone is talking to you, as all you can hear is noise from the vehicles. The walk produced alot to look at, but once we got back on concrete, the route felt like it went on forever. There’s also alot of litter and dog mess on the path. I’d say the walk itself felt safe as we were in a group, but I wouldn’t do it on my own or in the evening/at night. Especially not near the derelict buildings, as it doesn’t feel very safe and there’s alot of broken glass on the ground.

This route is easy to navigate as it follows the road/river as a single path and there are no other paths to choose.
The beginning of the route (out of Hessle) is not pleasant at all. The narrow path is right up against flimsy wooden barriers to the A63/Clive Sullivan Way on your left, with established hedgerow on the right. I found the traffic noise stressfull and wondered about air quality. All four of us walked at heightened pace to get it over with.
As the land between the A63 and the river widens, the path slowly peels away from the road and towards the river, finally taking a sharp right onto hardcore walkway which then huggs the river all the way into Hull. On a nice day this was a pleasant part to walk, with people fishing from the high river wall. As an East Riding resident, imagine it would be tough and exposed on a windy day as the river is a wind channel.
After St Andrews Quay retail park the environment becomes very derelict, unpleasant and potentially hazardous. We walked over a lot of smashed window glass, torn metal infrastructure and fallen brick/concrete while rounding the Bullnose. A previous review from Autumn 2023 mentions crossing the disused dock here and continuing along the river as routed past William Wright and Albert Docks - this proved impossible, maybe due to winter storm damage, the dock gates were dilapidated and fenced off, as was the farther portion of the walkway on the other side of the crossing.
At this point we left the route and headed inland through industrial areas, reaching Hessle Road and then Anlaby Road. Luckily one of us was familiar with Hull and knew the way, but of course GPS will help if you don't.

Reviewed in mid March after a very wet day.

Scary sections walking by the A63 - feels unsafe as at times there is only a wooden barrier between you and the cars wheezing past. The path is full of rubbish.

The area around St Andrew’s docks in Hull is full of broken glass from the abandoned buildings, torn down sheets of metal, debris everywhere. It might be thrilling for some and interesting because the port is still in operation but as a walking experience by itslef, I wouldn't recommend it. The old sluice gate and wooden bridge there had been boarded up but has been reopened forcefully (see pictures). We opted for trying to find a different way into town but this was convoluted, longer and not recommendable either.

Much of the walk is along the river with views of the Humber bridge. Very close to the motorway A63 which was aloud and a bit scary. Nice views over the river. Coming into Hull along a wide path lead to an industrial estate and derelict buildings. Unable to cross the bridge at end of trail. Not suitable for families and not particularly enjoyable.

Heshul One
Leaving Hessle Station then over the foot bridge and along by the road or you can go down to the river footpath. Around Hessle Haven and the former Dunstons Ship building yard then through the Business Park to the River footpath. The path is narrow in places and brambly. Ok for a solo cycle with care. Once you reach ‘Wall End’ the path improves and widens.
The wall end is the western most part of the former William Wright Dock now filled in and derelict. On passing the retail park the new flood defences have stylised bird shapes facing the river. See picture,
they have titles but I have been unable to find details of the artist.
Go past the derelict Lord Line building and Sea Fish Authority offices. Cross the old dock gates by the Bullnose which has a memorial to the fishermen who left the dock never to return. The path passes to the south of Albert Dock which is operational for ship repairs and general cargo. Near to the eastern end of the dock the path goes up several flights of steps over the roofs of the warehouses. There are good views at this level of the Humber east, south and west.
Several flights of steps down will lead you to Albert Dock Lock gates. At high water these may be open for ‘freeflow’ for maybe an hour. (High water times can be found on the Internet or BBC Look North gives the following days tide times in the weather forecast at about 1845 on weekdays). After crossing the gates and exiting the dock. You will have to make a diversion from the Slow Ways route because of the major roadworks. Turn eastwards and head towards Humber Dock and Hull Marina. If you want to visit the Pubs & Eateries on the east side of the Humber Dock cross the dock by the lock gates and head north. Else turn north before as you get to the lock. Your objective is the same, a large futuristic looking foot/cycle bridge known as Murdoch’s Crossing. Once across, continue northwards past the Princes Quay shopping Centre. To get to the Railway Station or Bus Interchange take any road heading westwards.

Achieves a traffic free route into a city centre (barring a few roads that allow safe crossing), so you should expect a few bits aren’t the most scenic or serene. However the elevated walk way at the docks in Hull and the path along the river that follows are really interesting with views to be had (at first over the city scape, then into the estuary). The dock buildings thereafter aren’t in great state, but gives an insight into the areas working past. Then there’s is a bit more riverside path so you can enjoy looking out onto the Humber again. The A63 side section isn’t pleasant on a wet, windy day at rush hour. But when the sun shines and in seasons when foliage isn’t over growing it’s not so bad and over reasonably quickly.

This route is off road but the section along side the dual carriage way was unpleasant and overgrown with nettles. As you get into Hull it improves as you get away from the road. You go past several derelict dockside buildings. 2 flights of steps up to a walkway over the old dock warehouses.

I walked this route from Hull to Hessle.

Currently there is a lot of building work in Hull with pedestrian route diversions in place. You may need to follow the diversion signs through the city centre (past the Maritime Museum) and across the new footbridge to the Marina. Head to the marina office over the white bridge next to the Holiday Inn and then walk down the road between the Marina Office and the Chandlery to get back on track.

The first section is through the Albert Dock, operated by Associated British Ports. It's still an active port so if your children or a member of your family find ships and JCBs exciting then you might be in luck. Keep an eye on MarineTraffic.com and the tides for best results. You have to cross the lock gate so you might be waiting a while if a ship is transiting the lock but this is infrequent.

There is a long flight of steps to get up to a raised walkway which takes you over the top of storage warehouses and offers a good view of the Humber and the industrial areas. Descending the steps a few hundred meters brings you down to a sea wall path. If you want to avoid these steps start and end your walk at St Andrew's Quay retail park.

The footpath is paved and well maintained but there is little shelter from either the sun or wind and rain during more inclement weather. Once you have passed St Andrews Quay retail park the path continues until the entire Humber Bridge is in view and the path takes a right turn. From here the path degrades to a single earth and stone track but there is more shelter from overhanging trees. Unfortunately, the footpath is now only metres away from the traffic on the A63, and the amount of litter is appalling. It does get better as you press on though and the road and footpath diverge.

Near the end in Hessle take a detour through the start of Jean's Walk and stop off at the stony beach. There are a number of large, flat stones to sit and rest on.

Hull City Centre is well supplied with shops and retail, including a large Tesco Extra directly opposite the train station in the St John's Centre. You have to walk a little bit into Hessle town centre from the train station but there are newsagents and a number of small bars and restaurants there.

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