You'll never walk alone: our top mooches in and around Liverpool

It's a Sunday; you spent last night prancing about Castle Street, and this morning - or afternoon - you fancy a stroll and some good grub. Not sure where to go? Well, you're in luck. We've compiled all the best walks in and around Liverpool into one guide, from quick fixes of fresh air to longer trails that give you a proper break from the big city.

 

Sefton Park

Image: Sefton Park / Douk.com

Where and Parking: South of the city centre. Street parking available near Lark Lane (L17 8UU) and Aigburth Drive (L17 1AP) entrance points.

Length: 3.7 - 4.4km, 45 mins - 1.5 hrs

Starting off strong with this well-loved spot, Sefton Park offers 200 acres of green space and a lakeside circular trail to shake off your hangover. As a Grade I Listed park, this place boasts an impressive Palm House that hosts an array of events and exhibitions, a boating lake, a cafe and winding, accessible, tree-lined paths. Whether with your family, your mates, or on your tod, Sefton Park will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Want a longer walk? Sefton Park is situated at the top of Lark Lane, so why not extend your route down that way afterwards?

 

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Woolton / Strawberry Field

Image: Woolton / Strawberryfield.salvationarmy.org.uk

Where and Parking: South-east of the city centre. Start point and free parking at Strawberry Field (L25 6EJ), or street parking available nearby (L25 5JA).

Length: 5 km of guided or self-guided walking, around 1 hr 15 mins with sightseeing

Any fans of The Beatles reading? Well, this one's for you. The Woolton 5 km route takes you through some of the landmark places from John Lennon's childhood. With the option of a guided tour, this loop starts and ends at Strawberry Field visitors' centre and spotlights the picturesque charm of suburban Liverpool, whilst enlightening trailgoers on the area's significance to Lennon's life and music. 

Not a Lennon-ist but still love the idea of a music-focused trail? Keep scrolling for more of our recommendations.

 

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Wirral Coastal Path

Image: Wirral Coastal Path / Wirralcoastalwalk.org

Where and Parking: Route begins at the Floral Pavilion Theatre, with multi-storey parking (CH45 2PA) and nearby street parking available.

Length: 6 - 20 km, 1.5 - 5hrs

We're crossing the Mersey for this one, but we promise it's worth the trip. The North Wirral Coastal Walk offers some of the best coastal scenery in the region; from the cityscape views of Liverpool to the rolling hills of North Wales to the brisk Irish Sea, you really can't go wrong.

With train stations across most of the route, this one is super accessible from the city and as long or short as you fancy.

 

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Trinket Trail

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Video: Liverpool Trinket Trail / Instagram.com via @lucy_cardigan

Where: Route from Lark Lane (L17 8UU) to the Baltic Triangle and Red Brick Market (L8 5RF) up through the city centre to the Metquarter (L1 6DA)

Length: Variable - this one's for the shoppers

Mapped out by creator Lucy Cardigan, the Liverpool Trinket Trail is a fun take on a scavenger hunt. With stops along Lark Lane for boutique, independent shops and making its way across the city via markets and studios, this trail is a collector's dream. Bring your best mooching partner and spend the day supporting local artists in Curated Makers, browsing ceramics and antiques at Red Brick Market and chancing your luck with blind boxes from Forbidden Planet. Don't forget to bring something along with you for any trinket trade boxes along the way.

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Formby Beach and Nature Reserve

Image: Formby / Ray Bilcliff

Where and Parking: Access to shore from Victoria Road car park (L37 1YH) or Lifeboat Road car park (L37 2EB). Accessible by train from Liverpool Central station.

Length: Variable, short beach walk or 5.5 - 7.5 km (up to 1.5hrs) including pine forest and reserve

We can't discuss the best walks in and around Liverpool without mentioning Formby. A rite of passage for those growing up in the North West, from Merseyside to Manchester, this really is a must-visit spot. The Formby Beach and Woodland Circular is our most recommended trail around here, taking walkers on winding paths through pinewood forests and scrambling up steep dunes for views of the Irish Sea.

We recommend spending sunset here; be prepared for some fab scenery and maybe some sand in your trainers too.

 

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Echoes and Waves Trail

Image: Echoes and Waves / Echoesandwaves.com

Where: City centre (L1 0AF), 46A Jamaica Street and surrounding area

Length: 0.4 km, 10 - 15 mins

Though this walk isn't the longest, it's certainly one of the most interesting. Organised by the Baltic Triangle Area CIC and Smiling Wolf agency with support from Liverpool City Council, the Echoes and Waves street art trail was created to highlight the globally renowned impact of Liverpool on music history. The idea is to decode the musical references painted on shutters as you move between installations, bringing the trail to life.

If you need a quick dose of fresh air or a stroll to squeeze into your lunch break, this one's perfect.

 

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Calderstones Park

Where and Parking: South Liverpool (L18 3JB). Free limited parking via Calderstones Road entrance.

Length: 3 km circular route, 30 - 45 mins. Flat - wheelchair and pram accessible

Calderstones Park is another of the impressively green public parks in South Liverpool. The Georgian-style mansion house, botanical garden, lake and a thousand-year-old oak tree make this far from a boring walk. Suitable paving for wheelchair users and families with little ones, the leafy trail around Calderstones Park has your Sunday walk sorted.

 

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The Docks and Waterfront

 

Image: Liverpool Docks / Dominik Gryzbon

Where: City Centre (L3 4AD). From the Toll House at the Royal Albert Dock to Brunswick Lock. Multi-storey parking nearby

Length: 2 - 3 km, 30 - 45 mins, browse-dependent

A classic route for tourists; we know it's easy for locals to avoid the docks, but this place is popular for a reason. With views of the industrial-era dockhouses, beautiful boats, and the contemporary high-rises of the Liverpool skyline along the way, this route really is one of the best walks in Liverpool. Independent shops and cafes, museums and galleries - including the Tate, which hosts free exhibitions - line the docks, so you're pretty spoilt for choice of pitstop if you need cover from the rain. 

 

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Sandstone Trail

Image: Sandstone Trail / Thenorthernguide.com

Where and Parking:  45 min drive from Liverpool. Park at Sandstone Trail Car Park on Simons Lane in Frodsham (WA6 6HQ)

Length: Variable - shorter circular walks or up to 55 km, 12 hrs

So you fancy a bit of long-distance walking? The Sandstone Trail is just that - no faffing about. Less than an hour's drive from Liverpool, this Cheshire trail boasts 34 miles of unbroken walking, spanning from Frodsham to Whitchurch in Northern Shropshire. Park up and spend the day hopping between panoramic views of the countryside, stunning aged churches and maybe even a castle or two.

If you've got a few days off work, why not make a trip of it? Commonly completed in either two or three days and passing through some of Cheshire's lesser-known towns, there are plenty of stops for some banging pub grub along the way.

 

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Hilbre Island

Image: Hilbre Island / Wirral.gov.uk

Where and Parking: West Kirby, Wirral (CH48 0AQ). Route starts at Dee Lane slipway, with pay-and-display and street parking on Dee Lane.

Length: 6.5 km round trip, about 2 hrs

We may have saved the best until last with this one. Often overlooked due to the technical side of this walk, having to time the crossing carefully with the tide times, the Hilbre Island walk is one of the most unique trips in the country. From spotting grey seal colonies to birdwatching, this really is a nature-lover's dream. Hilbre is accessible only by foot, so whack on your wellies, follow official tide guidelines and get out and explore this impressive little island.

 

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Looks like we've come to the end of Skiddle's recommendations for the best walks in Liverpool; we hope you manage to clear that head. 

Already over the hangover and ready for more? Check out what's on near you this weekend.

 

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