Connect Kirkby with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Kirkby to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Help connect Kirkby
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 Kirkby’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Kirkby from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bootle—Kirkby
|
Bookir one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 10km/6mi | Ascent 67m | Descent 57m | ||
Kirkby—Eccleston
|
Kirecc one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 10km/6mi | Ascent 53m | Descent 38m | |
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Kirkby—Eccleston
|
Kirecc two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Kirkby—Prescot
|
Kirkpre one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 92m | Descent 36m | ||
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Kirkby—Prescot
|
Kirkpre two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 331m | Descent 271m | ||
Kirkby—Rainford
|
Kirkrai one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 63m | Descent 45m | ||
Litherland—Kirkby
|
Litkir one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent 64m | Descent 48m | ||
Litherland—Kirkby
|
Litkir two |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent 55m | Descent 39m | ||
Maghull—Kirkby
|
Magkir one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 29m | Descent 28m | |
Maghull—Kirkby
|
Magkir two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 7km/4mi | Ascent 40m | Descent 37m | ||
Walton—Kirkby
|
Walkir one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 64m | Descent 49m | |
Walton—Kirkby
|
Walkir two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 10km/6mi | Ascent 57m | Descent 73m | ||
Walton—Kirkby
|
Walkir three |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 53m | Descent 69m | ||
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Walton—Kirkby
|
Walkir four |
|
2 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Collective progress
46% of Kirkby’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
14/14
11/14
1/14
0/14
3 people have contributed to Kirkby’s Slow Ways
0 people have pledged to walk and review a route
1 people have surveyed a route in Kirkby
108km out of 143km have been walked and reviewed
138km of reviews have been shared in Kirkby
Latest Updates
Once over, and after a short walk along a paved road, we access our first footpath: a tarmac path running betwern fences, before heading under a railway tunnel and onto a path running past houses. Crossing at the next junction, we head up the industrial estate road of Heysham Road, where we access the Transpennine Trail, a good tarmac footpath eventually passing Aintree Station....
Hiking Historian
Good tarmac tracks bring us through to the road past HMP Altcourse, where, after a short unpaved (but closed to traffic) road walk, we cross the road (unfortunately no ramp) and join the pavement, before turning onto a footpath. At the end, a road crossing and onto another tarmac footpath, running behind houses....
Hiking Historian
After the motorway bridge, we exit the canal via a narrow passageway, and follow the paved road walk through the residential streets of Kirkby, passing the station along the way....
Hiking Historian
Good tarmacced paths lead us through the park, until we take a junction over a road where we then access the old railway, which is now mostly the Transpennine Trail. At Aintree Racecourse, the footpath becomes earth and stone in a wooded area, often narrow in places, before joining the canal....
Hiking Historian
One thing I'll point out about the route so far: the map shows the route as crossing the crossroads/roundabout at the junction of Aintree and Southport Roads using a crossing on the right (south) side. The path ahead has some subsidence, and, at Aintree Racecourse, the path becomes a narrow earth and stone footpath, which eventually meets the canal, from where it is a short grassy bank to the bridge. Crossing before the bridge, the path ahead is again narrow and natural, and in undergrowth....
Hiking Historian
After crossing the busy East Lancs dual carriageway the route goes onto the Gellings bridleway, again alongside the M57, before going onto Knowsley Lane for the final section. Nearing the end a busy roundabout has to be negotiated. Plenty of facilities at start and finish....
James Riding
Then onto a quiet single lane road and dirt path, and past farm buildings....
James Riding
This route includes private inaccessible paths and so isn't a valid route....
James Riding
First, the route through Walton Hall Park has a massive diversion around the bowling greens and along the path that runs adjacent to the housing estate; this is unnecessary, and I recommend just going straight along the main path through the park. Secondly, the exit from the canal onto the bridge at Spencer's Lane isn't as straightforward as the map claims. These small quibbles have been corrected on WALKIR Four; route Two offers a slightly amended ending....
Hiking Historian
The left right next to Aintree racecourse is a dead end, the right hand (and better path) takes you to Aintree Lane south of a swing bridge, which you may like to do. Crossing the road at the swing bridge the path continues along the Liverpool to Leeds canal until a left turn before a bridge (the steepest part at 12%) the right onto the road, suburban road to Kirkby station (cat + coffee!), then a wide pavement to Kirkby Bus Station and shopping precinct....
Strider
A good walk but...several small mapping errors, any one of which would not warrant a new route, but all together make navigation difficult. More accurate Walkir2 coming soon....
Strider
This route is not feasible: the entire Patten's Walk section is on private farm roads on the Knowsley Estate. I'll submit a better route in the future....
Hiking Historian
A good route along the canal and well-paved roads between two towns with ample parking, public transport and shopping. Access from Westway in Maghull to the canal, however, is not straightforward, nor good for access. Therefore I have suggested an alternative route for ease and for all users: MAGKIR Two....
Hiking Historian
An enjoyable walk, mostly along tarmac towpaths and well-paved roads. This route is fully accessible to all users, with no steps and ramps on kerbs. Good shops and bus transport links at either end (rail stations are nearby)....
Hiking Historian

Kirkby’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SJ4103798727
Lat / Lon
53.48196° / -2.88997°
Easting / Northing
341,037E / 398,727N
what3words
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Kirkby's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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