Crosby Beach (Blundellsands) – Leeds and Liverpool Canal loop from Bootle New Strand

Bike touring routes & trails

United Kingdom

England

North West England

Crosby Beach (Blundellsands) – Leeds and Liverpool Canal loop from Bootle New Strand

Moderate

4.2

(27)

193

riders

Crosby Beach (Blundellsands) – Leeds and Liverpool Canal loop from Bootle New Strand

03:04

51.1km

100m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

8.25 km

Crosby Beach (Blundellsands)

Highlight • Viewpoint

Free parking at the Sports Centre car park (Mariners Drive) makes a good starting point. The path along the front is wide and flat all the way to the Coast Guard Office. Then you are in undulating sand dunes until you get to Hightown. A little cycle through Hightown and you get on the cycle path past Altcar Rifle Range and eventually land in Formby. Here you can turn around or carry on through Formby towards Freshfields Station and join the cycle path down Fishermans Path and Ainsdale Woods. This path eventually brings you out on the Ainsdale coast road and you can cycle all the way to Southport off the road.

Tip by

11.9 km

Sefton Coast Cycleway by Altcar Training Camp

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This pathway and cycle route becomes overgrown with vegetation. The council implement emergency closures for up to two weeks to cut back the vegetation. Publicity for the closures is very poor. The official council position is that there is no alternative route. Closures are normally in June and Autumn.

Tip by

23.0 km

Woodland Path, Ainsdale National Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Ainsdale National Nature Reserve is one of the best remaining strongholds for the rare natterjack toad, Europe’s loudest amphibian. Red squirrels can occasionally be seen in amongst the reserve’s pine forests too, while sand lizards, great-crested newts and a fantastic variety of orchids and other wildflowers can also be found here during the spring and summer.

The reserve has a network of around eight miles of footpaths marked with coloured topped posts. The Woodland Path and Fisherman’s Path are accessible by bike, pushchairs and wheelchairs, and there is a fully accessible picnic area to take a well earned rest along Woodland Path.

For an extra special experience they also put on family events, nature trails and open days occasionally throughout the year. Just a 15 minute stroll from Ainsdale Station to the north or Freshfield Station from the south, Ainsdale NNR is a fabulous nature reserve to visit any time of year.

Tip by

29.7 km

Formby End of the Cheshire Lines Path

Highlight • Beach

lovely ride around the coast

Tip by

38.3 km

Trans Pennine Trail – Cheshire Lines

Highlight • Trail

Great off road route. Heading south to north coming out at Plex Moss Lane gives easy access east or west. Alternatively come off before on the quiet route from Formby to Haskayne.

Tip by

42.8 km

Trans Pennine Trail Meadows Section

Highlight • Cycleway

Great photos:
Beautiful photo story of the pheasants👌👌👌👍👍👍👏👏👏

Translated by Google •

Tip by

46.0 km

Rimrose Valley Country Park

Highlight • Natural

Rimrose Valley is a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) country park and valley which forms a border between Crosby and Litherland in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on its eastern edge.

Because the brook that runs through the park regularly floods, it remained clear of the housing developments that grew up on either side. However, the central area was used as a tip until 1978 and restoration began in 1993. Rimrose is a Hybrid word from Old English hrim (modern "rim"), 'border' and Celtic ros meaning "moor" or "heath".

Tip by

46.5 km

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Highlight • Cycleway

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a canal in Northern England, linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Over a distance of 127 miles, crossing the Pennines, and including 91 locks on the main line. Wikipedia
Date completed: 1816
Date extended: 1822
Date of act: 1770
Date of first use: 1774
Locks: 91

Tip by

51.1 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types