Connect Liverpool with Slow Ways

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Liverpool

Merseyside


Slow Ways linking Liverpool and Belle Vale, Birkenhead, Bootle, Douglas (Isle of Man), Garston, Prescot, Walton

England / Merseyside / Liverpool

Liverpool’s seven Slow Ways are 71% checked

Drawn: 7/7
reviewed: 6/7
verified: 4/7
and surveyed: 3/7

Help connect Liverpool

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 Liverpool’s Slow Ways.

Walk to Liverpool from further afield

Slow Way Route To do
Birkenhead—Liverpool
Birliv one

Double check Distance 4km/3mi Ascent 43m Descent 28m
Birkenhead—Liverpool
Birliv two Enjoy me Distance 4km/3mi Ascent 53m Descent 31m
Bootle—Liverpool
Booliv one

Double check Distance 6km/4mi Ascent 44m Descent 51m
Bootle—Liverpool
Booliv two Enjoy me Distance 7km/4mi Ascent 56m Descent 42m
Douglas (Isle of Man)—Liverpool
Douliv one Pioneer me Distance 23km/14mi Ascent 8m Descent 32m
Liverpool—Belle Vale
Livbel one Survey me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 121m Descent 124m
Liverpool—Belle Vale
Livbel two Review me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 164m Descent 178m
Liverpool—Garston
Livgar one

Double check Distance 12km/8mi Ascent 101m Descent 97m
Liverpool—Garston
Livgar two

Review me Distance 11km/7mi Ascent - Descent -
Liverpool—Garston
Livgar three Enjoy me Distance 12km/7mi Ascent 91m Descent 95m
Liverpool—Prescot
Livpre one Review me Distance 12km/8mi Ascent 127m Descent 68m
Liverpool—Prescot
Livpre two Verify me Distance 16km/10mi Ascent - Descent -
Liverpool—Walton
Livwal one

Verify me Distance 6km/3mi Ascent 73m Descent 55m
Liverpool—Walton
Livwal two Verify me Distance 6km/4mi Ascent 77m Descent 65m

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Liverpool and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Collective progress

64% of Liverpool’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified

14/14

drawn

13/14

reviewed

5/14

surveyed

4/14

verified

9 people have contributed to Liverpool’s Slow Ways

1 people have pledged to walk and review a route

6 people have surveyed a route in Liverpool

126km out of 148km have been walked and reviewed

265km of reviews have been shared in Liverpool

Latest Updates

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

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I didn’t get my first view of the buildings of central Liverpool until reaching the first sea lock into the docks, where everything became more interesting inland, and I was less focussed on the view across to the Wirral and North Wales. Soon after the Exhibition Centre I headed inland past Albert Dock with views of lots of Liverpool’s iconic buildings, and on through the bustle of the city centre to Lime Street Station....

Mary Oz

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Strider surveyed Livgar three

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Starting at Liverpool South parkway Station there is some walking beside busy roads, not for long and the pavements are wide. Soon into suburban roads with walls made of Triassic red sandstone, so characteristic of Liverpool buildings....

Strider

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This route, however, swerves these nosier highways and heads down quiter, and more enjoyable, roads and footpaths so that we mostly avoid the din of traffic. Some sections may not be wheelchair friendly (high kerbs; no ramps, especially in the quiter more residential areas, and steps from Newsham Park onto Lister Drive), but otherwise good for all users....

Hiking Historian

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I passed the Hillsborough memorial just before reaching the end point at Lime Street station....

Jane Taylor

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The route skirts Anfield and passes right by Everton; what a great alternative to the usual tours of the city!...

Jane Taylor

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From Bootle New Strand Station around the bus station and along the high street past New Strand Shopping Centre to the canal....

Strider

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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

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The first mile is a busy main road, and a slightly uphill slog, but with good surfaces and crossings, then there is a dull but quieter road. Another fairly quiet road takes you through some slightly faded-glory housing of Tuebrook. With about 4 miles still to go, the route entered a mile-and-a-half section of off-road cycle track (with several cycle barriers) through urban fields and alongside a stream....

Mary Oz

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Aside from a very brief stretch along St Mary's Road (which has generous pavements) and a short segment along quiet residential streets and a short bit through the vibrant Liverpool city centre, the route is entirely along the Mersey....

mtormey

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Liverpool—Prescot

Mary Oz added Livpre two, a new walk from Liverpool to Prescot

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I say mostly accessible, as there are a couple of streets just past Dovecot shops that lack ramps, and the kerbs, whilst not high, may pose an obstacle to buggies or wheelchairs; there are nearby residential parking ramps, but it's a bit of a diversion....

Hiking Historian

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Liverpool—Belle Vale

Hiking Historian added Livbel two, a new walk from Liverpool to Belle Vale

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I've verified this route, but only with the caveat that the route I have submitted as LIVBEL Two is to be followed, as it gives a more accurate representation of the route of the ground....

Hiking Historian

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My review for LIVBEL One still stands, but please follow this route for a more accurate representation of what exists on the ground....

Hiking Historian

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Liverpool—Garston

Hiking Historian added Livgar three, a new walk from Liverpool to Garston

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Second, leaving the riverside for a lengthy walk alongside a busy dual carriage can be alleviated by carrying on along the promenade and through Grassendale and Cressington....

Hiking Historian

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Agree with the posters and reviewers of this route: a full walk along the promenade and the quieter route through the suburbs away from the main road, is much better. However, this route is not detailed, especially through Grassendale and Cressington, and the footpath near Chessington station has an obstacle that blocks access for wheeled users. I've refined it slightly as LIVGAR Three....

Hiking Historian

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Hiking Historian took this photo on Livgar two

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Nice peaceful section through Grassendale as we move away from the river, before making our way along residential roads towards South Parkway....

Hiking Historian

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A very enjoyable route that takes in many great sights and beautiful green spaces in South Liverpool with some excellent pubs and coffee places along the way in case a stop is required....

Team Tato

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A foot and cycle route, mostly along the canal; wheelchairs can do 99% of the route, but route away from canal has stairs and cannot find an alternate route. Between two stations, both in shopping areas, it's not a pretty route, going through some industrial and residential areas, but it's a straighteners one, and one with very few obstacles....

Hiking Historian

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Bootle—Liverpool

Hiking Historian added Booliv two, a new walk from Bootle to Liverpool

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There's no access to the canal from the bridge on Washington Parade. Other than that, route is sound. I've submitted an alternative for accuracy....

Hiking Historian

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The route isn't quite accurate through the parks, and the section where it leaves London Road is affected by local building works, the chosen route now obliterated. I've provided an alternative, LIVWAL Two....

Hiking Historian

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Shops at both ends, with good public transport links, and two good parks, and great views across Liverpool....

Hiking Historian

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Liverpool—Garston

Team Tato added Livgar two, a new walk from Liverpool to Garston

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A beautiful walk along the entirety of the Liverpool promenade. Although well-paved throughout, there are a few steps that cannot be avoided (see photo)....

Team Tato

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Liverpool—Walton

Hiking Historian added Livwal two, a new walk from Liverpool to Walton

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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

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From St Mary's Church through residential streets to Goodison Park and up through Stanley Park (a sign said it might be closed at night, but there is a parallel road)....

Strider

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Hiking Historian surveyed Birliv two

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Hiking Historian surveyed Birliv two

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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

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Birkenhead—Liverpool

Hiking Historian added Birliv two, a new walk from Birkenhead to Liverpool

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All areas are accessible, and passes through main shopping areas between railways stations....

Hiking Historian

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Hiking Historian took this photo on Birliv two

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You can then walk easily along Windsor Street to reach your first park - Princes Park, which was Liverpool's first public park. Continuing along the quieter part of Allerton Road you will eventually reach the entrance to Calderstones Park, and a straightforward path takes you straight across, passing the Mansion House. Greenbank Park is also just off the route and houses a lovely walled garden with a memorial to Eleanor Rathbone, the feminist and social reformer, who lived in Greenbank House nearby. Calderstones Park is named after the Neolithic Calder Stones, which can be viewed at the rear of the Mansion House; it also has a 1000 year-old oak tree (just off the route) and you pass the entrance for the gorgeous walled garden, incorporating an Old English Garden and a Japanese garden. There is no shortage of places to eat or buy provisions en route - Sefton, Greenbank and Calderstones Park all have cafes and there are also many places to eat on the busier part of Allerton Road. Instead of Windsor Street, you can reach Princes Park by turning left up Parliament Street to walk along Princes Avenue....

Jo G

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On leaving Walton (St Mary's Church and its pretty churchyard) you head through mostly quiet side streets towards Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club. Leaving the park opposite Stanley Park Church onto Anfield Road there is an uphill section of road walking taking you to Everton Park - the view from the top as you enter the park is spectacular, right across the Mersey towards the Welsh hills....

Jo G

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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

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Liverpool

sorrellck surveyed Liverpool

View facilities
Birkenhead—Liverpool

Slow Ways added Birliv one, a new walk from Birkenhead to Liverpool

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Bootle—Liverpool

Slow Ways added Booliv one, a new walk from Bootle to Liverpool

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Douglas (Isle of Man)—Liverpool

Slow Ways added Douliv one, a new walk from Douglas (Isle of Man) to Liverpool

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Liverpool—Belle Vale

Slow Ways added Livbel one, a new walk from Liverpool to Belle Vale

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Liverpool—Garston

Slow Ways added Livgar one, a new walk from Liverpool to Garston

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Liverpool—Prescot

Slow Ways added Livpre one, a new walk from Liverpool to Prescot

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Liverpool—Walton

Slow Ways added Livwal one, a new walk from Liverpool to Walton

Walk this route
1

Liverpool, Thu 25 April

Partly cloudy

Liverpool’s Slow Ways starting point

Grid ref

SJ3502190540

Lat / Lon

53.40767° / -2.97892°

Easting / Northing

335,021E / 390,540N

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Liverpool and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Facilities

Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Liverpool'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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