D201: ELLESMERE PORT to RUNCORN
Sunday 5th April 2026
Today miles: 13.4 Total miles: 3325.0
I woke up to heavy rain still falling and decided to wait in the car until the weather improved. It’s a short day and I didn’t catch the train back to Ellesmere Port until around 10am, after yet another Wetherspoons breakfast. It wasn’t a pretty start to today with more walking through industrial units and housing estates in miserable overcast conditions. After a mile or so I joined the Shropshire Union Canal for a few minutes. I like walking along Canals, they are usually very tranquil and pretty scenic. The path runs under and then along the edge of the railway tracks, through Stanlow and towards Elton before moving closer towards the coast/river.
There’s a huge refinery near Stanlow and it takes me forty minutes to walk along the length of the perimeter fence. After walking through Frodsham wind farm I eventually arrived on the Western edge of Frodsham and take a quick break. As it’s Sunday morning lots of business are still shut and my options for food are limited. Soon after departing Frodsham I crossed the River Weaver and walked along the edge of the river for a mile towards the Rocksavage power station. There’s no easy route around Runcorn and no sight of any English Coastal path route indicators. It’s a noisy and unpleasant last two miles along a busy road until I reach Runcorn train station.
Because I took an unexpected rest day, due to a slight foot pain earlier in the week, I’m not as far along the route as I could be. I’m booked into a Travelodge for the next two nights at Liverpool Docks. I caught two trains and then a short half mile walk to the hotel. There’s lots of fatty food options very close to the hotel, so once I’ve taken care of some chores I’m going to fill my boots. Not the best of walking days with very few decent views.
