Getting to West Kirby for the Hilbre walk

By train

Merseyrail runs the Wirral line to West Kirby, which is the terminus. Check Merseyrail for current services. From the station, the start of the route is a few minutes' walk.

By bus

Several bus routes serve West Kirby. Operators and route numbers change, so use Merseytravel's journey planner (opens in a new tab) to find a current journey.

By car

• Wirral Council lists two pay-and-display car parks in West Kirby: Dee Lane (173 spaces, 4 Blue Badge) and West Kirby Concourse (171 spaces, 5 Blue Badge). The council's Hilbre page points to the pay-and-display car park on Dee Lane.
• Charges apply from 8am to 6.30pm, seven days a week.
• Pay by card, by phone or with the JustPark app. The machines do not take cash.
• We do not print prices because the council has published more than one schedule. See the council's car park page for the current tariff.
• A walk of 2 miles each way plus waiting for the tide can run past four hours, so choose a ticket that covers your whole visit.

Toilets and supplies

• Public toilets by the Marine Lake, in the sailing centre building, cost 30p. They open 10am to 6pm from May to September and 9am to 4.30pm from October to April, with an accessible toilet in opening hours. Hours may change in very busy periods.
• On the islands there is no shop and no fresh water. Wirral Council lists no café there, though Friends of Hilbre sell tea and coffee on their open days. Basic toilets are mentioned for the islands, but do not rely on them.
• Bring water and food.

Where the walk starts

The recognised route starts at Dee Lane slipway beside West Kirby Marine Lake. Walk to Little Eye, then Middle Eye, then Hilbre Island.

Never start from Hoylake or Red Rocks. A deep muddy channel blocks the crossing there. The only recommended crossing point is Dee Lane, West Kirby.

See the Hilbre Island route map for the line from Dee Lane via Little Eye and Middle Eye, with numbered waypoints and approximate leg distances. It is indicative, not for navigation.

Time your arrival

WalkHilbre's calculated window opens 3 hours after high water and closes 3½ hours before the next high water. The close is the latest time to be back on the mainland at Dee Lane. Start back from Hilbre by the calculated leave-by time, 60 minutes before that. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Check today's calculated window before you travel, then follow the Dee Lane noticeboard. The safety guide covers the route in more detail.