The Wirral Peninsula has many walking routes. There are coastal routes, country parks, and cliff climbs to explore. Here are the best Wirral walks for you to choose from.
You can explore a lot of Wirral on foot, wander through the countryside, explore quaint villages, or escape along miles of beautiful beaches. There are a wide variety of Wirral walks to choose from. Therefore, you will find a walk suitable for you and your abilities. Here is our selection of our favourite walking routes in Wirral.
Coastal Walks in Wirral
1. Marine Lake, West Kirby loop route – 2.1 mile
- Easy coastal path loop route.
- It takes 30 minutes to complete.
- This route is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
- Dog friendly.
This loop lake walk is one of our favourites for a morning or afternoon stroll. A path loops around the Marine Lake in West Kirby, separating the lake from the beach. It’s incredible how much walking around this lake surrounded by the beach and North Wales in the distance can improve our mood and mindset.
There are plenty of lovely places to eat and coffee shops in West Kirby, so grab a drink or some snacks and enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake. We love watching people take part in water sports on the lake. This walk is ideal for children and features plenty of spots for crabbing.
2. Leasowe to Hoylake – 3.5 miles
- Easy coastal path route.
- It takes 1 hour 20 mins to complete.
- This route is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
- Dog friendly.
This easy coastal walk is one of our go-to evening walks in Wirral. It’s an easy, flat walk along a concrete coastal path; it’s not too strenuous but long enough to feel like you’re getting some good exercise. Sunset views from here are stunning, and we love hearing the sounds of the waves as we walk.
North Wirral Coastal Park has a car park near Leasowe lighthouse that leads onto the coastal path and is an excellent place to begin the walk. Then, walk along the promenade by the River Mersey to Hoylake. This walk is ideal for families and children as it is away from the road; be wary of fast cyclists going past!
Food and ice cream vans are often available in the car parks near Leasowe lighthouse, but there are no toilets. However, Hoylake has pubs and restaurants when you reach the town.
You can extend this walk
If you want to walk further, you can extend this walk by continuing onto the beach at the end of the coastal path in Hoylake. You will be able to see West Kirby in the distance, and you can make that your final destination. Just continue straight until you reach West Kirby, and you can get back onto a coastal path to the town. Please be aware that this area is a beach, so suitable footwear is needed, and always check the tide times.
3. Leasowe to New Brighton – 3.2 miles
- Easy coastal path route.
- It takes just over 1 hour to complete.
- This route is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
- Dog friendly.
You can begin this route at the same place we mentioned above, North Wirral Coastal Park car park. Once you get to the coastal path, turn right for New Brighton instead of turning left and heading towards Hoylake. This is an excellent choice for families with children as it is flat and easily manageable. This route features views of Liverpool Docks.
Once you reach New Brighton, there is plenty to do there. There is a cinema, plenty of restaurants and pubs, adventure golf, bowling, laser quest and arcades. Regular buses run from outside Morrisons in the town and train station too if you prefer not to walk back.
4. West Kirby Beach to Hilbre Island – 2 miles
- Easy beach route.
- It takes roughly 1 hour to reach Hilbre Island.
- This route is unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users as it can be slippy, and the sand is thick and wet at points.
- Dog friendly.
The best way to reach Hilbre Island is by starting at the slipway at West Kirby beach and heading towards the smallest of the three Islands in sight, Little Eye. After that, you can cross to Middle Eye and continue to Hilbre Island. It takes roughly 1 hour to reach Hilbre Island from West Kirby; however, this varies depending on the weather and personal abilities.
Safety
You can stay on the island during high water to make a day of your trip. If you want to stay on the island during high water, you must reach the island 2 hours before high water. You must remain on the island until 3 hours after high water; you will be there for 5 hours before returning to the mainland. You must leave 2 to 3 hours before the next high water when you leave the island.
The islands are an archipelago and are one of just 43 unbridged tidal islands in the UK that you can reach on foot from the mainland. Once you get there, Hilbre Island is a haven for spotting wildlife; we remember embarking on weekends to spot common and grey seals.
Before attempting this walk, it is essential to check the tide times and follow the recommended safe crossing route. It is easy to get caught by the tides if you are unprepared. Therefore, never venture away from the foreshore unless you know the time of the next high tide, and always be back on dry land at least two hours before high tide. Please note that tide tables do not consider weather conditions, which can significantly change the height and time of high water.
There are no shops, public toilets, or fresh water on the islands and minimal shelter, so it is vital to prepare accordingly, wear suitable footwear and always carry waterproofs and warm clothing.
Click here for a review of walking to Hilbre Island and further information.
5. Parkgate Circular Route – 3 miles
- Easy circular route, mostly path.
- It takes roughly 1 hour to complete.
- Suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
- Dog friendly, some roads and horse fields where dogs must be kept on a short lead.
We could not end our coastal walk section without including Parkgate! One of our favourite places in Wirral to visit. The fish and chips and ice cream are famous among the locals. It’s a lovely place to begin and end a walk.
This flat and easy walk is an excellent option as it first explores Parkgate Village. Look out for birds here. There are large numbers of wildfowl and waders; also sighted are grey herons, egrets, peregrine falcon and merlin. This route takes you along Parkgate Parade and then guides you onto a section of the Wirral way before you return to Parkgate Parade.
Parkgate is a great place to watch the sunset and try delicious food. The Boat House has an outdoor terrace and offers stunning views with your drinks or meals. It is dog-friendly, too.
You can find the full route here.
You can extend this walk
Heswall Dales is a few miles North and full of wildlife to discover and heathland trails. To the East is Neston, where you can continue to explore the Dee Marshes and Ness Botanical Gardens.
Woodland Walks in Wirral
6. Royden Park Circular Route – 3.4 miles
- Easy woodland circular route.
- Take roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete.
- Dog friendly, some roads and horse fields where dogs must be kept on a short lead.
Royden Park is a lovely park with large ponds, vast woodland and areas of wildflowers bursting with life and colour. The site is popular with cyclists, runners, hikers and dog walkers. There is a miniature train for children; you can take many routes around this park. There are good facilities with a visitor centre and an on-site cafe where you can enjoy refreshments after exercise.
We enjoy taking part in this easy route to unwind after a busy week, mostly on level ground, paths, tracks, fields and some roads. The trail takes you from Royden Park to Montgomery Hill and Frankby Mere, then to Frankby Green and back to Royden Park. You can follow the complete route directions here.
You can extend this walk
Royden Park is a brilliant starting base for walks in Wirral; from here, you can climb Thurstaston Hill for views of the River Dee estuary. The hill is also the location of Thor’s Stone, a large sandstone outcrop we loved climbing as children. West of Royden Park is Caldy Hill, a large area of heathland and woodland perfect for extending your walking.
7. Wirral Country Park and Thurstaston Common Circular Route – 5.5 miles
- Easy woodland circular route with coastal views.
- It takes roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete.
- Dog friendly.
This route is longer than our previous suggestions and is brilliant for bird and other wildlife spotting. However, it can get busy at the park and common, so we suggest early morning or an evening walk if it’s wildlife you’re interested in. We also like to run this route.
The route begins and ends at Wirral Country Park, which quite honestly is our favourite park in Wirral. We often drive here to have a picnic tea, watch the sunset, or play on the beach; it’s a great location to spend some time exploring before or after embarking on your walk. There are ponds, benches and designated BBQ areas. There is also a cafe near the car park, which is excellent.
This trail guides you from Wirral Country Park through the Dungeon Woods, passes through Thurstaston village and then takes you to the Thurstaston Common. You return along the Greasby Brook, a pretty riverside walk and end at Wirral Country Park. This route is great if you enjoy a variety of scenery. You can find the full route directions here.
8. Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale – 2.2 miles
- Easy woodland circular route.
- It takes roughly 1 hour to complete.
- Dog friendly.
Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve is a great place to explore. There is a visitor centre, walled gardens, plenty of car parking, a pretty river valley, and a fishing pond.
This is an easy circular route that is popular with runners. However, the woodland is beautiful and fun for children to explore. This waterside woodland trail takes you past Brotherton Pond, through Otter Tunnel, along Dibbinsdale Brook, and through the nature reserve. This is a peaceful route that is full of wildlife. Make sure to take care in wet conditions and wear appropriate footwear, as the paths can get flooded and very muddy. You can follow the entire route here.
9. Bidston Hill Circular Walk – 2 miles
- Easy woodland circular route slightly uphill.
- It takes roughly 1 hour to complete.
- Dog friendly.
I often do this walk after visiting Tam O’Shanter Farm in Birkenhead with my son. It’s an excellent way to run off energy through ancient woodland. This route is great because it’s easy and passes Bidston Lighthouse, 16th Century Windmill and the grade II listed Observatory.
This route begins and ends at Tam O’Shanter Farm, which has a car park. There is also a cafe and toilets at the farm. The farm is free to enter and small enough to walk around before or after your walk. The route guides you along King Georges Way; you cross a footbridge on Vyner Road. Next, turn right and go up towards the Windmill at the top of Bidston Hill. There is open space here and benches to rest and enjoy the views. You will see the Observatory and Lighthouse in the distance, so continue towards them. Once you reach the Observatory and Lighthouse, you can continue towards Bidston Hall. Follow the path that will then loop around behind the Observatory and Lighthouse. Carry on towards the bottom of Bidston Hill and walk in front of the Windmill. Head over the footbridge and turn left to return to Tam O’Shanter’s Farm.
You can extend this walk
Nearby is Birkenhead Park, which is lovely to walk around. Here, there are nearly 140 acres of historic parkland to enjoy. It also features bridges, a boat house, beautiful woodlands, ponds and play parks.
Fancy a longer Wirral walk?
10. Why not take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk? – 12.5 miles
The Rotary Club of North Wirral organises the Wirral Coastal Walk annually. It allows walkers to raise money for chosen charities. Of course, you can walk this route at any time. However, we find this is lovely to take part in and raise money for good causes. It is a fun event suitable for all ages and abilities. Plus, it’s a great way to admire Wirral’s incredible coastline.
You can find the entire route and register to take part here.
Are you interested in more Wirral content? Look at this Wirral blog by our local writer, Shayle Hollie.
