The walk starts functionally from Formby Railway Station, there are steps down from the high level station, although also access from lower down. Just after reaching the entrance to Altcar Training Camp I thought better of following the original route, choosing instead to pioneer this route and continued along the England Coastal Path....

David Sanderson

The short section of pavement walking alongside the Coastal Road was safe but not that enjoyable. The final section through Formby was OK but with hindsight I should have stuck with the pavement of the relatively quiet Freshfield Road rather than the double crossing of the railway via bridge...

David Sanderson

From Formby station, we head south along the long residential road (which you can now access via the Southport-bound platform of the station under the arches of the bridge, which have recently been opened up, so you no longer need to go to the main road, unless, that is, you're coming FROM Southport!), and, at its end, we join the tarmac footpath between the fields and approach the woods on the edge of the firing range. Continuing the route through the village, we follow a long residential road away from the centre until we hit a gate with a pinch-gap at the end and onto a broad tarmac path that winds its way around the dunes....

Hiking Historian

From Formby station, we head south along the long residential road (which you can now access via the Southport-bound platform of the station under the arches of the bridge, which have recently been opened up, so you no longer need to go to the main road, unless, that is, you're coming FROM Southport!), and, at its end, we join the tarmac footpath between the fields and approach the woods on the edge of the firing range. At a crossroads of footpaths, we continue ahead, following the military boundary and stream along a rough earthen path until we meet the main footpath, now tarmac....

Hiking Historian

A scenic route, pleasant and very easy to follow, on generally well maintained paths. After leaving Formby, the route passes through a golf course, into a pine forest and then follows the trans pennine trail for a section next to sand dunes. Recommended...

spurgeon

From Formby station to the Formby bypass the route is on urban pavements followed by a footpath (Mittens Lane)....

spurgeon

I walked from Formby to Southport on a grey day that started with drizzle. The good bits: the sumptuous smell of pine woods after the rain; a carpet of violets (and bluebells to come); the dunes are a magical magical maze full of wildlife; a variety of landscapes; quirky seaside shops under a ironwork arcade....

Strider

The way to leave Formby Station depends on whether you start from the southbound platform, as I did, or from the road that crosses above the railway. From the lower level there is a path straight from the station, below and to the side of the road. The road next to the railway, a short bit further on, was almost traffic-free and very pleasant, only used by residents. Crossing the busy Coastal Road was manageable but not fun. The fairly short dune path (narrow track, lots of ups and downs, but easy to follow) brought me to a pavement running along the side of the housing but away from the road. A short section of the busy Coastal Road brought me to the main difference from ForSou1. Having looked on Google Street View at the Coastal Road, I know I would have given ForSou1 only 3* at most....

Mary Oz

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. 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!...

Mary Oz

Keep to the KCIII path marked by regular posts and you wont get lost. After the life boat station the KCIII path is clearly marked and there is a newish cycle path through the grassy common. At the point the cycle path turns inland the KCIII path continues north through dunes and you loose sight of the sea. From the station there is a long straight cycle path next to the railway with a short diversion through a wood....

Strider

Unpaved, it is a quiet rural road, although not totally free from traffic. A long and straight path, passing under a few bridges along the way, once we're past the sewage works, we turn left onto a short dirt track that brings us to an unpaved rural road....

Hiking Historian

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). 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....

Hiking Historian

From Formby station, we pass along a few residential streets before we join our first footpath, running between fences, which brings us to an unpaved road that runs alongside the railway. We're soon running alongside the railway once more, before we join the coastal road....

Hiking Historian

There is a railway crossing (not a bridge) that is located at Formby golf course and some slopes within the woods that may restrict accessibility. Starting the walk from Freshfields station is an option....

[email protected]

Unfortunately, however, it was marred for me by the link between the Cheshire Lines railway walk and Owens Lane: the first section isn't too bad, albeit through a ploughed, muddy field, but at the brook, which heads into a strawberry field, I couldn't locate any way across the water course as it was so overgrown. Couldn't even be sure there was a footbridge!...

Hiking Historian

The section between the brook and Owen's Lane is a little frustrating, with some poorly maintained footpaths leading straight through planted potato fields and overgrown hedgerows (see photos), but that was the only dampener on an otherwise enjoyable hike....

Sam Walton

Normally I'd leave the path at Green Lane, but it is unpaved, hence the push to Sefton Lane. At Sefton Lane, we join the road, and follow the route along pavements to the shops at Maghull Square....

Hiking Historian

Mostly a good route, but there is a sizeable section that is along an unpaved busy, and bendy, country road between Altcar and the Cheshire Lines old railway, which is best to avoid. I've submitted an alternative that uses more footpaths and only roads with pavements....

Hiking Historian

Walked Southport to Formby, have cycled opposite direction many times....

Barrie Woodcock

Blundellsands Sailing Club to Crosby Coastguard Station – first a wide grassy path and then a well surfaced car free path shared with cyclists. Crosby Coastguard Station to Blundellsands Road West – promenade walk alongside the ‘Another Place’ statues in the sand. 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...

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