West Lancashire walks

Around Mere Sands Nature Reserve before making way along Leeds Liverpool Canal tow path and via country tracks back to start.

A very easy to follow 6 mile circular walk beginning at Rufford Marina and initially taking towpath North beside Leeds Liverpool Canal before taking footpath South along the levee beside River Douglas back to start.

A circular route starting at Bickerstaff and initially following country roads to Dairy Farm Lane then via farm tracks and over rail track to Newbridge Fishing Lakes. Further farm tracks lead back to Bickerstaffe via the site of Bickerstaffe Hall.

A circular walk starting from Liverpool Old Rd taking paths beside River Douglas to Dolphin Inn then over farm tracks to Much Hoole and then more farm tracks back to start.

The walk starts from Bell's Lane in Lydiate and follows clockwise circular route via disused railway lane and canal towpath. A possible brief detour to St Catherine's Chapel and the oldest pub in Lancashire, Scotch Piper.

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.

Circular walk starting from Appley Bridge ascending towards Ashurst Beacon before descending over Dean Brook to Gathust and via Leeds Liverpool canal back to start.

A circular route starting from Maghull centre initially following the canal and then disused rail track before heading beside Melling Brook to outskirts of Melling. Final section rejoins canal back to start.

A circular walk starting from Beacon Park then via Dean Brook to Roby Mill onto Ashurst Beacon and back to Beacon Park. Good views over Winter Hill and Mersey Estuary on the route.

Starting from Sidling Lane Nature Reserve travelling along the edge of the reserve before crossing the railway line to continue over open farmland and country lanes to re-enter via the woodland section of the reserve.

Route initially along Rainford Linear Park before heading over open countryside back to start.

Walk starting from Lunt Meadows Nature reserve and crosses the River Alt to disused Cheshire Lines rail track. After following the rail track the route crosses open farmland to a short road section leading back to the nature reserve. The final part of the walk makes its way via the nature reserve ponds to start.

The walk starts from Lunt Village, Sefton and follows the anticlockwise circular route via River Alt, Cheshire Lines railtrack, River Alt and briefly Mersey Forest.

The walk starts from Sefton Village and follows a clockwise circular route via Sefton Mill site Sefton Meadows, Cheshire Lines railtrack, River Alt and briefly Mersey Forest.

The walk starts from Formby Village and follows an anticlockwise circular route via Formby Dunes, site of 'Lost Resort', Formby Beach, site of first Lifeboat station with a possible detour to 'Devils Hole'.

Starting from Orrell Waterpark then follows lower slopes of Billinge Hill before ascending to Winstanley College and back to the waterpark. Good views over Mersey, Winter Hill and Cheshire hills.

This route beginning opposite Hutton Grammar school and making way to Dolphin Pub via Longton Brook, Back Lane and Marsh Lane. Return is via section of Ribble Way, River Ribble and open farmland back to start.

A circular walk starting from the base of Billinge Hill and ascending it to enjoy views from the highest point in Merseyside. The descent passes through woodland on route to Orrell Waterpark. The return route follows the west flank of Billinge Hill with more great views over Welsh and Cheshire hills back to start.

A circular route crossing Carr Mill via causeway onto a rising farmland section leading to Newton Rd. Extensive views over Mersey Plain, Manchester and Cheshire Heights from this midway point. Return route is via open farmland leading to woodland section back to lakeside.

The walk starts from Penwortham water tower and follows the anticlockwise circular route via River Ribble, Howick Cross and Blashaw Wood.

A circular walk around Carr Mill Dam, Sankey Valley Canal and Burgy Park.

A circular walk starts by following River Ribble from Lower Penwortham to Old Tram Way then onto Brown Edge Wood and crossing to North bank of River Ribble which it follows back to start.