The best walks and hikes around Marton Mere

Yes, Marton Mere is an excellent destination for family walks. The terrain is predominantly flat with well-maintained paths, making it accessible for all ages and abilities. The abundance of wildlife, especially birds, provides an engaging experience for children.

Marton Mere is a Site of Special Scientific Interest renowned for its biodiversity. It's a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 260 species recorded. You can spot migratory ducks, geese, and swans in autumn and winter, while spring and summer bring warblers and nesting birds. Keep an eye out for kingfishers, woodpeckers, dragonflies, and various butterfly species.

Dogs are generally welcome on the public footpaths around the reserve. However, to protect the sensitive wildlife and habitats, it is essential to keep them on a lead at all times and stick to the designated paths.

The vast majority of hikes around Marton Mere are rated as easy. The landscape is very flat with minimal elevation gain, featuring a mix of gravel paths and trodden tracks. This makes the area ideal for leisurely strolls and accessible to hikers of most fitness levels.

Yes, circular walks are the most common type of route here. The trail network is designed to loop around the mere and through the surrounding habitats, allowing you to start and finish at the same point without retracing your steps. These loops vary in length, offering options for both short and longer walks.

The main access and parking for the Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is located off Lawson Road and East Park Drive in Blackpool. There is a designated car park for visitors to the reserve, which serves as a convenient starting point for most of the trails.

The area is highly regarded by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the peaceful atmosphere, the excellent opportunities for birdwatching from the hides along the trails, and the easy, flat paths that make it a relaxing escape so close to Blackpool.

There are over 180 hiking routes to discover around Marton Mere. The network includes short loops within the nature reserve, longer walks connecting to nearby parks, and various paths through the surrounding grasslands and woodlands.

Absolutely. Several trails connect the two areas. For a varied day out, you can take a route like the Stanley Park Bandstand loop from Marton, which combines the natural scenery of the mere with the more formal gardens and features of the park.

You can enjoy hiking here year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Spring and summer are wonderful for seeing wildflowers, butterflies, and listening to birdsong. Autumn and winter are spectacular for birdwatching, as thousands of migratory birds arrive at the mere.

Many of the main paths within the Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve are considered accessible. The primary circular trail is well-maintained and includes gravel sections, making it generally suitable for robust pushchairs and wheelchairs, allowing everyone to enjoy the scenery.

Yes, Marton Mere is accessible via public transport. Several bus routes from Blackpool town centre and surrounding areas have stops within walking distance of the nature reserve entrance, making it a convenient option for those without a car.