Wirral Way

The Wirral Way is a traffic-free path of about 19 km along a former railway line on the Wirral peninsula, Merseyside and Cheshire, England, running from Hooton to West Kirby beside the Dee estuary. The usual start is Hooton Station, Hooton CH66, reached on the Merseyrail Chester or Ellesmere Port line, and West Kirby at the far end is on the Wirral Line, so a one-way walk with a train back is easy. Car parks exist at several points, including Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston, and no permit is required. Walking the whole route takes about five to six hours; cycling takes around two. The old railway gradient means the path is flat, with only short ramps at road crossings and bridges, so the route is easy. The surface is mostly compacted stone and earth, with some sections that turn muddy after rain, and cuttings and tree-lined stretches provide good shade while open embankments are exposed to wind. Landmarks include Neston, the views across the Dee to the Welsh hills, the old harbour village of Parkgate, Thurstaston and Wirral Country Park, the first country park designated in Britain, and the clifftop approach to West Kirby. Because the route is linear with frequent road crossings and nearby villages, it can be shortened easily at any station or access point. Water, toilets and cafes are available at Parkgate, the country park and West Kirby, though not along the entire length, so carrying water is wise. Horses and cyclists share the path, so walkers should keep to one side and stay alert at bridges and bends.