Waterfront and Canals - up to 6 miles / 10km each way (virtually all traffic-free)

Pickering's Pasture to Fiddlers Ferry and return: Suitable for walkers and cyclists - Suitable for families. (Ditton Brook steps between Widnes and Pickering's Pasture are not suitable for wheelchairs)

TPT Map 1: Irish Sea to Yorkshire

Start at the Visitor Centre at Pickering's Pasture Local Nature Reserve and head towards the river Mersey to meet the Trans Pennine Trail running along the waterfront. Turn left and head up the river towards the Runcorn Widnes Bridge in the distance.

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.

Passing under the rail and road bridges the route joins a quiet road for a very short section (families with young children may wish to walk along the pavement). At the Mersey Hotel, turn off the road and down onto the Lower Promenade. Here you get a good view of the bridge which is actually the same design as the Sydney Harbour Bridge (although only 2/3 of the size), There are pictures of the construction of the bridge and the previous Transporter Bridge on the walls on the Mersey Hotel.

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. To return to Pickering's Pasture simply retrace your route.

Getting there: There is parking by the Visitor Centre at Pickering's Pasture which is signed off the A562. There is also car parking at Spike Island at Widnes (follow the signs for Catalyist).

The closest rail stations to this route are at Widnes, Runcorn and Great Sankey All are over a mile from the route and require cyclists to follow on road routes to the Trail.

Useful information: There are toilets (not 24hrs) at Pickering's Pasture. There is a pub at Fiddlers Ferry at the end of the route. The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre at Spike Island is well worth a visit, with interactive galleries and exhibits, viewing gallery, plus a café and toilets.