Grab your big coat and spend the day wandering through lush areas of greenery, fauna and wildlife.
All across Merseyside are parks and beaches perfect for winter walks or summer days out. However, if you know where to look, there are hidden gems bursting with beauty.
Pathways vary in length and even occupy some furry friends who call the areas home. You can power through quickly on a workout jog or lose yourself for hours along the way.
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Below are some gorgeous areas perfect for a wildlife walk.
Hightown to Freshfield
This stretch of the Sefton coastline takes you through plenty of woodland and farmland. It starts by the River Alt, which attracts much bird life and passes the Liverpool – Southport railway line.
Again, it’s well-signposted and it will take you to Victoria Road – where you can debate which is your favourite big house – and the entrance to the National Trust attraction, your gateway to a glorious beach surrounded by pinewoods where you can discover red squirrels, natterjacks and prehistoric footprints amid an ever-changing landscape.
Or, if you want to save all this for another time, you can head to Freshfield station – or maybe even take a little diversion to the award-winning Freshfield Hotel on Massam’s Lane.
Distance: Five miles
Approx time: Two hours
Hale Head Lighthouse
Just outside Liverpool is a flat circular walk perfect for all ages and abilities. The path goes through beautiful wild flowers and takes you along the coast providing great views across the Mersey.
The route begins in the village of Hale. Follow the footpath down to the Mersey towards the lighthouse which sits on a sandstone cliff overlooking the beaches. It dates back to 1838 and was originally marked the Southernmost point of Lancashire.
You can walk along the cliff top path and look out for birds along the river and admire the views over Dungeon Banks and Eastham Sands to Ellesmere Port on the opposite side. Then follow the path round the other side of the lighthouse and back towards Hale to complete a circle.
Distance: Around 2.5 miles
Approx time: One hour to one hour 30 minutes
Delamere Forest and Old Pale Hill
A little further afield, but still easily accessible from Merseyside. This walk begins at Delamere railway station and takes in a hill which gives you views to seven counties.
The descent allows walkers to explore the delights of Cheshire’s largest woodland. Wildlife includes an array of birds, bees, dragonflies and butterflies while the route takes in a pretty straightforward ascent up Old Pale Hill before you go down and through meadows to Eddisbury Lodge and then into Delamere Forest.
The last part of the walk takes you around Blakemere Moss, a large bog that is home to colonies of gulls and many other bird species. Also in the forest you will come across a bog known as Black Lake, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to a rare species of Dragonfly. It is a very atmospheric walk, and in the summer the path sides and meadows are full of the colour of hundreds of wild flowers.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Approx time: 2.5 hours
Bidston Hill
This circular walk in Wirral takes you to a 231 foot high hill near Birkenhead park, making it one of the highest points on the peninsula and offers brilliant views over Wirral and Liverpool. The route passes iconic Wirral landmarks along the way, including Bidston’s Lighthouse, 16th Century Windmill and the grade II listed Observatory.
The route begins and ends at Tam O’Shanter’s Farm where you can park. There’s also a café and toilets here. The route takes you along King Georges Way (opened by King George V and Queen Mary) and through Taylor’s Wood before crossing a footbridge on Vyner Road.
Turn right and head upwards to the Windmill at the top of Bidston Hill. Head to the sandstone area where there are benches for a peaceful rest and to take in the views. You will be able to see the Observatory and Lighthouse in the distance, so carry on walking in that direction.
Walk past the two landmarks and continue towards Bidston Hall, following the path which will eventually loop round behind the Observatory and Lighthouse. Continue towards the base of Bidston Hill and walk in front of the Windmill to go back over the footbridge and turn left to head back to Tam O’Shanter’s Farm.
Distance: Around two miles
Approx time: One hour
Sefton Park Loop
If you’d prefer a shorter walk in south Liverpool, a leisurely stroll around the 235-acre park is perfect for all skill levels. There’s plenty to see and do at the park with it having lakes, a palm house containing the Liverpool Botanical Collection, gorgeous gardens and waterfalls, sculptures, and there’s even an aviary viewing point.
The park also has a lakeside café, perfect for a slice of cake and a cup of tea after or during your relaxing stroll. If you fancy a longer walk, you can do the full loop around the outside of the park totalling around 10,000 steps.
Distance: 2.5 miles or 4.5 miles
Approx time: One hour to two hours 30 minutes