The Mersey Forest Way

Difficulty
Long Distance
Distance
172.6 miles / 277.8 km
Time
104h 00m
Start
Ainsdale railway station
Map
OS Explorer 285, 275, 276, 267 and 266
Terrain
Mixed
Barriers
Many
Accessibility
-
Toilets
-
Contact
The Mersey Forest: 01925 816217
Description
A long distance tour of The Mersey Forest, taking in many of its jewels, including:
 
Route directions
  1. Since the route passes close to many railway stations, it can easily be split into more manageable sections, such as:
     
    1. Ainsdale to Freshfield (5.3 miles)
    2. Freshfield to Hightown (6.2 miles)
    3. Hightown to Maghull (10.7 miles)
    4. Maghull to Rice Lane (7.4 miles)
    5. Rice Lane to Broad Green (5.1 miles)
    6. Broad Green to Rainhill (10.2 miles)
    7. Rainhill to St Helens Junction (5.8 miles)
    8. St Helens Junction to Earlestown (5.4 miles)
    9. Earlestown to Birchwood (7.6 miles)
    10. Birchwood to Glazebrook (5.8 miles)
    11. Glazebrook to Warrington Bank Quay (12.3 miles)
    12. Warrington Bank Quay to Runcorn East (8.0 miles)
    13. Runcorn East to Acton Bridge (7.1 miles)
    14. Acton Bridge to Northwich (7.8 miles)
    15. Northwich to Hartford (4.6 miles)
    16. Hartford to Delamere (15.8 miles)
    17. Delamere to Frodsham (8.0 miles)
    18. Frodsham to Elton (5.5 miles)
    19. Elton to Chester (9.8 miles)
    20. Chester to Overpool (11.1 miles)
    21. Overpool to Hooton (4.8 miles)
    22. Hooton to Neston (4.2 miles)
    23. Neston to Upton (11.3 miles)
    24. Upton to Liverpool James Street – via the Mersey ferry (5.3 miles)
    25. Liverpool James Street to Hall Road (9.5 miles)

    The full 172 miles includes returning to Ainsdale from Hall Road, but we'll understand if you choose not to retrace your steps!
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