| 1. This is 12 mile cycle from South Liverpool Parkway Station to The Tavern Inn, Fiddlers Ferry.
The route start on a road side cycle paths past New Mersey Retail Park, then a turn into the Estury Business Park, then onto Hale Village via Hale Road. This part of the route gives great views of aircraft lanning at Liverpool John Lennon Airport runway viewing is an option at Dungeon Lane.
Once Hale village reached follow natioal cycle route 62 sign posted to turn at water works.
Cross Ditton Brook on the white bridge and climb the wooden steps on the far side (cyclists will need to dismount). From the top of the steps there is a long gentle decent to Widnes.
After passing under the bridges, turn at the Mersey Hotel , turn off the road and down onto the Lower Promenade. Here you get a good view of the bridge.
After about 200m the route climbs back onto the road for another very short section, before turning right down a slope onto the riverside leading round to Spike Island.
Cross the canal on the lock gates (cyclists dismount) and follow the path that leads away from the canal and with view across the river, mudflats and marshland. When you meet the canal again turn right.
You are now following the towpath of the St Helens or Sankey canal, built between 1755 and 1757 its was the first canal of the industrial revolution. Less than a mile along the canal is Widnes Warth Nature Reserve where a raised viewing platform, hides and interpretation material have been installed to provide views over the Mersey estuary and help people enjoy the variety of wading birds and wildlife that visit these mud flats and marshland habitats.
Continue along the canal until you reach Fiddlers Ferry yacht haven and tavern. |