Liverpool Cycle Trail

As a city, Liverpool is diverse, energetic and exciting: from celebrating Liverpool's 800th birthday in 2007 to being the European Capital of Culture in 2008. The architecture is world-class, with more listed buildings than any city outside London. The heart of the city and its waterfront sit proudly alongside treasures like the Taj Mahal and Pyramids at Giza as a World Heritage Site.

This route offers an opportunity to see many of its highlights close up. It begins at Croxteth Hall, the magnificent ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton, and proceeds through part of the associated country park. For a while you will follow the Loop Line, an old railway line which has been converted to a footpath and cycleway. Until the 1960s, a major use was by frequent night-trains carrying fresh cabbages, cauliflowers etc. from the farms of the Lancashire Plain to London's huge Nine Elms vegetable market.

After passing the famous Aintree racecourse the northern part of the route follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the longest canal in Britain. Then later on you will cycle right along the historic waterfront, passing the iconic Three Graces, a group of architectural marvels much loved by the city's populace, several of the city's museums, and Albert Dock, which was opened by Prince Albert in 1846 and includes the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK. Finally the route rejoins the Loop Line to return to Croxteth Hall.

1. From Croxteth Hall head southwest along the drive, passing underneath Croxteth Hall Lane, then bear left at the car park.

2. Cross the road at the end of the drive and head straight on along Mill Lane.

3. Bear right where the road joins Barnfield Drive.

4. Turn right almost immediately on to the Loop Line Path.

5. At the end of the Loop Line Path turn right on a path beside a factory.

6. Turn left at Long Lane.

7. Turn right almost immediately on to Brookfield Drive.

8. At the end of Brookfield Drive turn left on to Lower Lane.

9. At the T junction with Longmoor Lane turn left.

10. Turn almost immediately right on to Signal Works Road, which passes under the railway then becomes a path.

11. Turn right just before the racecourse and bear right towards the road bridge over the canal.

12. Turn left at Wango Lane and cross the canal.

13. Turn left on to the towpath.

14. From the end of the canal head straight on.

15. Turn right at Burlington Street and cross Eldonian Way.

16. Turn left on Love Lane and follow it as it becomes Pall Mall.

17. Turn right on to the A5053 and follow it round to the left as it becomes the A5052.

18. Turn right on to St. Nicholas Place down the side of the Royal Liver Building and head towards the water.

19. Turn left along the waterfront.

20. Cross the entrance to Canning Dock.

21. Continue along the waterfront.

22. After briefly joining Gower Street, return to the waterfront.

23. Turn left at Mariners Wharf.

24. Turn right at the crossroads on to The Anchorage.

25. Take the fourth left through to Sefton Street.

26. Turn right on Sefton Street.

27. At the roundabout turn right.

28. Turn right on to Atlantic Way.

29. Head straight on from the end of the road along the waterfront.

30. Remain on the waterfront.

31. Turn inland a short distance at The Britannia Inn.

32. Enter Festival Park and continue parallel to the shore.

33. On leaving the park head back to the water.

34. Turn left along the promenade.

35. Take a short diversion inland to pass the pumping station.

36. Rejoin the waterfront promenade.

37. Turn inland at the fifth significant path after the pumping station, shortly after passing the roundabout on the nearby road.

38. Head straight on across the athletics ground.

39. At the road turn left.

40. Turn right on Riversdale Road and cross the railway.

41. Head straight across the A561.

42. Follow this road all the way to Calderstones Park then take the path on the right opposite the park entrance.

43. Bear right at the junction of paths.

44. Head straight on past the golf club.

45. At the crossroads turn left.

46. Turn right at the A562.

47. Turn left on to the B5171.

48. Turn left at the crossroads on to Acrefield Road.

49. Turn right on to Out Lane.

50. At the end of the road head straight on along a path.

51. Turn left on to the Loop Line Path.

52. Bear right after passing under the motorway and railway.

53. Pass through the tunnel under Thomas Lane.

54. Follow the path between the superstore and the houses, cross the A57 and continue along the cycle track.

55. At Mill Lane turn right.

56. Enter Croxteth Hall Country Park at the end of the road and follow the drive all the way to the Hall.