Ainsdale Reserve Circular

A circular around Ainsdale Nature reserve starting with the gentle woodland section before moving on to a trickier dry dune section due to a large number of paths crisscrossing the dunes, The final section is through the wet dune section where the path is clearly marked but ponds block the path during wet periods so improvisation or wellingtons might be necessary.

Technical sheet

n°8387324
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 26 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 20 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 31 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5 m
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Ainsdale Nature Reserve Info
Ainsdale Reserve Info

Description of the walk

(S/E) Take the path south off Coastal Road. Follow a substantial path south West along the edge of woodland.

(1) Follow the path as it makes its way into the treeline. Turn west (right) at path junction along Fisherman's path.

(2) At notice, the board turn northwest (right) into dunes. The path through dunes runs between high dunes and woodland, it is marked with way posts but these can be difficult to follow due to scrub.

(3) Continue northwest through dunes on the path running parallel to high dunes and woods following way markers where possible. Towards the end of this section, you may need to deviate from the formal path due to ponds.

(4) Path turns east (right) through dunes and ponds.

(5) At waypost branch south (right). Take gate beside nature reserve board and continue south towards woodland avoiding wet areas as appropriate.

(6) Turn west (left) following well defined path into woodland.

(7) At wood edge turn north (left) on substantial trackback to start.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 16 m - Coastal Road
  2. 1 : km 1.65 - alt. 18 m - Airfield
  3. 2 : km 3.69 - alt. 12 m - Notice Board
  4. 3 : km 4.24 - alt. 5 m - Massams Slack
  5. 4 : km 6.6 - alt. 9 m - Pond Turn
  6. 5 : km 7.1 - alt. 13 m - Signpost
  7. 6 : km 7.81 - alt. 18 m - Wood Edge
  8. 7 : km 8.22 - alt. 20 m - Exit Wood
  9. S/E : km 8.32 - alt. 16 m - Coastal Road

Practical information

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