11 walks to blow away the cobwebs on a Sunday

There are so many wonderful places to enjoy a walk within a short distance of Liverpool and all around the Merseyside area.

Walking is not just a great way of keeping fit, it also gives us a chance to get out and explore areas of enormous interest and natural beauty. With so many places to explore in and around Merseyside, we've taken a look at some of the best walks you can take with stunning views.

There is no need to complete these entire routes – part of the pleasure of a long relaxing walk is going at your own pace. Many of these routes allow you to take in the beautiful scenery our county has to offer, plus there's plenty of wildlife to see along the way, so take your time and enjoy.

Waterloo to Hightown

The first part of the Sefton Coastal Path is extremely popular with walkers – including dog walkers who like to give their pets a special treat. You can start the walk at Waterloo train station and head down South Road towards the handsome Victorian villas, many of which were once occupied by ship captains during Merseyside’s golden maritime age.

Heading north, via the Marine Lake and boating lake, to the beach at Crosby you will be greeted by the stunning sight of Antony Gormley’s Another Place attraction.

Rest here awhile and gaze upon the majesty of Gormley’s Iron Men – and give thanks that common sense prevailed a decade ago when, unbelievably, there was a concerted campaign by their opponents to move them on.

After reaching the coastguard station, stop to take a look back – and, if it’s a clear day, you will hopefully be rewarded with clear views of the Welsh hills and the Wirral coastline. Leaving the promenade, you will take a more isolated path flanked by grassed areas and stones and rocks before the reappearance of sand dunes towards the end of your journey – before reaching Lower Alt Road and Hightown station. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the Hightown Hotel before returning home.

West Kirby and Caldy Hill

For this walk, you start at West Kirby train station and then turn right along Grange Road. On the right, opposite Orrysdale Road, is the entrance to the Wirral Way. Ashton Park is next and, to the right of the playground, you will then go over a bridge and take the middle of three paths.

Outside the park, you will walk up Rectory Road, then turn left onto a public footpath over an old stone stile. At the top of this path – known as Echo Lane – you cross the road and take the steps to Caldy Hill and the Mariners Column, before turning right and following the public footpath.

After 350m, having just passed a set of gate posts, take the path’s right fork. Heading up over the brow of the hill, you can feast your eyes on some truly wonderful views.

You will make your way back to the train station via Kings Drive and Caldy Road – and you will see some fine views of the Dee Estuary and West Kirby Marine Lake en route.

Mere Sands Wood

Mere Sands Wood in Rufford, just outside of Ormskirk is a 42-hectare woodland and wetland habitat with lakes and wildlife viewing.

It's also home to several walking paths, ranging from long to short. To get to Mere Sands leave the A59 in Rufford onto Holmeswood Road (B5246). After one-mile turn left at the 'Nature Reserve' and 'Meresands Kennels' signs.

Follow the lane down until you arrive at a car park. Mere Sands has two trails, a white route that is 4km and passes through all the terrestrial habitats and a shorter white route, which is 2.5km.

The longer trail takes around 45 minutes to complete without any stops. Both routes are signposted so you can't get lost.

On the walk look out for grebes, water rails; reed warblers, kingfishers; sparrowhawks and woodpeckers.

A donation is recommended.

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.

The Lydiate Loop

The walk starts and finishes at the New Running Horses pub on Bell’s Lane by the Leeds – Liverpool Canal. You will turn left and follow the footpath signed Green Lane, crossing Maghull Brook at the footbridge and continue straight on to Green Lane, before turning right and following the track signed Cheshire Lines Path/Trans-Pennine Trail.

The path will eventually take you to Southport Road and the 16th century Lydiate Hall which was a complete ruin by 1940. The ruins of St. Catherine’s Chapel also feature on the Loop – as does the wonderful Scotch Piper Inn.

With its thatched roof and whitewashed walls, you should find this impossible to resist – and, once you’ve settled yourself inside, impossible to leave. Later, via Hall Lane, you will reach the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Jackson’s Bridge – and then back to the New Running Horses and, perhaps, more refreshments.

Wirral Coastal Walk

This annual walk is organised by The Rotary Club of North Wirral. And it’s a walk which gives you the opportunity to choose your distance.

You can, if you have plenty of stamina, complete the entire 15 miles – or you could take note of the completion points at four and 10 miles. The walk begins at Seacombe Ferry and ends at Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre at Thurstaston. Walkers should initially head down Egremont Promenade to New Brighton, then along the promenade embankment through Leasowe and Meols to Hoylake.

At the end of Hoylake Promenade take a sharp left along The King’s Gap and turn right along Stanley Road to Red Rocks. A sandy boardwalk leads on from there to West Kirby, where, at the far end of the Marine Lake (by West Kirby Sailing Club), walkers should turn left. A right turn into Macdona Drive leads to the Wirral Way and then on to the Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston.

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.

Sefton Coastal Path

For those of you wanting a full day of walking, the Sefton Coastal Path covers a range of landscapes, from sandy beaches to pretty woodlands. The walk offers incredible scenic views across the Irish Sea to North Wales, Snowdonia and the Lake District on a clear day. It’s the perfect walk to spot wildlife too, including red squirrels at Formby Point.

You start the walk in Crossens, Southport, near the Marshside RSPB Reserve and end at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre. If you’d like to do this walk but are worried about distance, you could split it into sections and complete it over a few days or weekends.

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.

Hilbre Island

You need to check the tide times and weather before taking on this walk. The island is situated at the mouth of the Dee Estuary off the coast of West Kirby in Wirral and is the perfect peaceful location to escape to with a picnic.

You can spot rare and endangered wildlife here and take in the view of Wirral from the island. However, it’s important to note there are no shops or toilets on the island. Remember to leave the island in plenty of time to return to the mainland before the tide comes in.

Otterspool promenade

Running along the bank of the River Mersey, this walk offers wonderful views over to Wirral and even North Wales on a clear day. The walk begins at the southern tip of the Promenade and links up with a narrower walkway and cycle route that follows the bank all the way into the city centre. If you go on a windy day, prepare to be windswept.