Connect Birkenhead with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walk and review is needed to fully connect Birkenhead to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!England / Merseyside / Birkenhead
Birkenhead’s four Slow Ways are 88% checked
Help connect Birkenhead
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Birkenhead’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Birkenhead from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
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Birkenhead—Bebington
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Birbeb one |
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2 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 4km/3mi | Ascent 35m | Descent 43m | ||
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Birkenhead—Bebington
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Birbeb two |
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1 X |
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Verify me | Distance 6km/3mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Birkenhead—Liverpool
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Birliv one |
|
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U U |
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Double check | Distance 4km/3mi | Ascent 43m | Descent 28m | |
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Birkenhead—Liverpool
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Birliv two |
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1 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 4km/3mi | Ascent 53m | Descent 31m | ||
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Wallasey—Birkenhead
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Walbir one |
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1 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 51m | Descent 55m | ||
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Wallasey—Birkenhead
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Walbir two |
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4 X |
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Verify me | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Woodchurch—Birkenhead
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Woobir one |
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U U |
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Double check | Distance 6km/4mi | Ascent 49m | Descent 84m | |
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Woodchurch—Birkenhead
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Woobir two |
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2 X |
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Verify me | Distance 6km/4mi | Ascent 93m | Descent 55m |
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Collective progress
78% of Birkenhead’s four route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
8/8
8/8
6/8
3/8
7 people have contributed to Birkenhead’s Slow Ways
0 people have pledged to walk and review a route
7 people have surveyed a route in Birkenhead
46km out of 46km have been walked and reviewed
122km of reviews have been shared in Birkenhead
Latest Updates
While I would have loved to use the ferry across the Mersey, they were all out of commission the day I was there, and in any case the Woodside ferry terminal is closed for a complete overhaul. Leaving Liverpool Lime Street Station, the route follows pedestrianised roads through the city centre, later crossing a busy road to reach Pier Head. I skidded along icy pavements to the Woodside ferry terminal, where a big notice said the place was closed, but it didn't give any indication when it might be back in service....
Paddy Dillon
I've not much to add that hasn't already been covered in previous reviews, however given the cost of the crossing can be expensive during the off-peak hours, a potentially cheaper option could be to buy a combined bus, train & boat ticket (the Saveaway ticket) for £6.80, which whilst not valid at all times, can present a healthy saving....
Dannywith
From Grove Road station, we access the bridge over the railway (using either stairs or step-free access from the station approach), and then we're along a few well-paved residential roads. The only access to the station is via a stepped footbridge, which crosses the railway and to the road beyond. Eventually we hit the road, and descend the hill using well-paved roads. We cross a road at one point, but mostly stay in the park for a while. Once through the park, we join more roads, and eventually we're onto the pedestrianised shopping area of central Birkenhead. At the end, we take stairs (a slope is also available), cross the road under the flyover and arrive at Birkenhead Central station....
Hiking Historian
With good views over the river, we head downhill and once more move along residential roads through Rock Ferry. At the end, we reach New Ferry where we are briefly at the river, with plenty of benches if you wanted to break the walk and watch the river and the birds....
Hiking Historian
I then crossed Mersey Park where there were better views across the Mersey to Liverpool and further south east. Eventually I crossed to Rock Park, a quiet road of historic houses lining the Mersey....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Birbeb two, a new walk from Birkenhead to Bebington
Walk this routeResuming the route through the park, I passed some grand houses, and then was soon into the less grand streets into the centre of Birkenhead. The exit to the main road, just before the station, is closed at night, I believe, but Borough Road, just to the south has a pavement, if an alternative is needed....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Walbir two, a new walk from Wallasey to Birkenhead
Walk this routeA direct and safe Slow Way comprising mainly of pavement pounding....
David Sanderson
This was a rather dull but easy route, all along suburban pavements except for a short footpath cutting through woods, which made the route less accessible due to kissing gates and cycle barriers. Mostly it passed pleasant enough housing, with one terrace just north of Green Lane Station being particularly pleasing. There were quite a few shops on the route too, but a lot of them had metal grills covering them....
Mary Oz
I started this route from Birkenhead. My only quibble with the whole route was where it gets to the bus station....
David Sanderson
On reaching the roundabout onto the A553 (Conway Street) from Birkenhead Central Station, it is worth crossing the A553 to the north side before walking along it....
Mary Oz
There are toilets at the Birkenhead station at least (I just didn’t notice at Bebington but mainly because I wasn’t looking)....
mtormey
The route through Liverpool is excellent, through some of the main shopping streets, and down to the waterfront. Outside these hours, however, it is necessary to pay the tourist cruise rate, £11.50 if no concessions, which gives a longer return route with commentary, but you can break the journey and get on and off at both ports....
Mary Oz
However, the gate into this is locked when the shopping centre is closed and you'd need to use roads if that was the case....
Mary Oz
I was racing to catch the ferry (check timetables in advance!), so I only took in the Birkenhead side of the route at a jogger’s pace, but from what I experienced it was direct, accessible, and (most important) ACCURATE!...
mtormey
From the A59 overpass to Birkenhead Park, the route passes through some pretty heavy industrial sites. I never felt unwelcome (like, the route always followed real footpaths and pavements), but it was clearly not a space built for people travelling on foot (fifth picture). I hopped off the route for a bit to explore Birkenhead Park, said to have inspired New York’s Central Park (seventh picture)....
mtormey
Urban walk through Birkenhead, through Oxton, and ending up a Woodchurch. Well-paved throughout....
Hiking Historian
Hiking Historian added Woobir two, a new walk from Woodchurch to Birkenhead
Walk this routeDespite a footpath by Townfield Primary being marked on the OS map, it is not on the Council footpath map, and the route goes through school grounds and actual houses. I'll reroute it soon....
Hiking Historian
Route is only possible using the ferry service, so timing is essential (commuter service on morning or evening is more economic). The route in Liverpool makes perfect sense, but the Birkenhead end is untenable due to private pavements for offices and unpaved roads to the tunnel. I'll submit an alternative route....
Hiking Historian
Hiking Historian added Birliv two, a new walk from Birkenhead to Liverpool
Walk this routeAll areas are accessible, and passes through main shopping areas between railways stations....
Hiking Historian
A completely urban pavement route linking the two towns. Passes through residential and industrial areas, but, for the most part, is accessible. Also pass a memorial to mountaineer Alan Rouse (1951-1986), who grew up locally....
Hiking Historian
Unremarkable urban walk, but, given the built-up nature of the area, the best one that links the two areas. Mostly along well-lit, evenly surfaced pavements, with a wooded short footpath section with possible obstacles for wheelchair users, this route is accessible on foot and cycle, and is served by many shops along the way, and two railways stations at either end....
Hiking Historian
The problem here is it is not possible to walk through the Mersey tunnel so there is no direct walk across the river here. There are good transport links (bus, train, ferry) from Birkenhead to Liverpool but a walk would be much slower and have to go around the river. Hoping to develop a good route for this to submit!...
Ktayl
Slow Ways added Birbeb one, a new walk from Birkenhead to Bebington
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Birliv one, a new walk from Birkenhead to Liverpool
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Walbir one, a new walk from Wallasey to Birkenhead
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Woobir one, a new walk from Woodchurch to Birkenhead
Walk this route
Birkenhead’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SJ3221088473
Lat / Lon
53.38874° / -3.02076°
Easting / Northing
332,210E / 388,473N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Birkenhead and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
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