26th June: Sefton Coastal Path walk

This walk is the latest in our series of greenbelt walks, offered in conjunction with the ‘Manchester Weekend Walkers’ Ramblers group, and follows the Sefton Coastal Path within Liverpool City Region. The route includes some exceptional natural landscapes, which are all the more important in an otherwise built-up area.

Highlights include:

– National Trust land at the Formby sand dunes – home to a number of nationally rare species including natterjack toads and red squirrels thrive;

– The Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, one of the most important wildlife sites in England,

– Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve, one of the largest areas of wild dune land left in Britain

– The parks, pier and promenade of Southport, a popular seaside destination for residents of the Northwest.

Participants will need to wear trainers or walking boots and appropriate clothing (including waterproofs if wet weather is forecast). Please also bring a packed lunch or a snack and a drink, plus change (40 pence) for the payable toilets en route. We will break for lunch near the seafront in Ainsdale, where we might have time for a drink at The Sands pub.

Although the full walk to Southport is 17 km (10.5 miles) long, participants can opt for a shorter walk by finishing at Ainsdale (10 km / 6.5 miles) or Hillside (12.5 km / 7.5 miles) if they wish.

At the end of the route, there will be optional drinks and chat at a pub or café in Southport.

Length: 10.5 miles / 17 km (or shorter options from 6.5 miles / 10 km upwards)

Ascent: 361 feet / 110 metres

Walk start time: 11.15 am

Number of people: up to 40

Booking method: By reserving your place on this Eventbrite page. The walk is open to all and there is no charge, but booking is essential.

Meet point and start location: Freshfield train station near Formby

Leader: Dr Andrew Read, assisted by CPRE volunteers.

Grade: Leisurely – mainly well-made paths but a few ups and downs too, as well as some sandy paths through the dunes. We will keep at a manageable pace to suit all attendees.

Access: The walk can be accessed either by train or by car. Full joining instructions will be sent to those registering.

Green Belt is the countryside on the doorstep for millions of city dwellers in the UK, and provides green space to escape from the city in order to run, cycle, walk dogs or just spend time with nature. However, the Green Belt is threatened by development and across the Northwest many community groups have come together to highlight threats to green belt sites. This is one of a series of walks organised by CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester in conjunction with Ramblers to highlight the vital importance of the Green Belt and other green spaces to residents of our region.