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Hiking trails & Routes

North West England

Cheshire West and Chester

City Of Chester

Chester Castle – Chester Water Tower loop from Chester

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

North West England

Cheshire West and Chester

City Of Chester

Chester Castle – Chester Water Tower loop from Chester

Moderate

4.9

(7)

hikers

Chester Castle – Chester Water Tower loop from Chester

02:55

11.5km

30m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 2.10 km for 9 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

158 m

Chester Castle

Highlight • Historical Site

A walk round the city walls is a worthwhile experience, giving not only good views of the centre of town, but also a number of other sights including the river, the castle and the racecourse

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558 m

Chester Racecourse – Britain's Oldest Racecourse

Highlight • Historical Site

Chester Racecourse - the oldest still in operation in the world

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883 m

Watergate

Highlight • Historical Site

Route out of Chester through City Walls next to the Racecourse.

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1.37 km

Pemberton's Parlour

Highlight • Monument

open all year

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2.01 km

Originally called the New Tower, the Water Tower stands at the end of a crenellated retaining wall in an area now known as Tower Gardens. The spur wall connects the Water Tower to Bonewaldesthorne Tower, located at the northwest angle of the main walls.

The lower area where the Water Tower stands was once covered by the River Dee before the river silted up and receded. The Water Tower was built in 1322 by the mason John de Helpeston for the sum of 100 pounds and remains largely unchanged today. The Water Tower's purpose was to guard Chester's port. Now that the river has receded, the "Tower Gardens" area is a pleasant place to relax in fine weather. There is a children's playground and a bowling alley at the Water Tower.

Source: discoverchester.co.uk

Translated by Google •

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5.62 km

Saltney Ferry Footbridge

Highlight • Historical Site

The view from the bridge gives a great perspective of the 'canalisation' of the River Dee - a straight 5 mile section of the river. In the distance you can just make out the Queensferry and Flintshire Bridges.

"The Saltney Ferry Footbridge in Flintshire was built in 1968 to replace a ferry that crossed the River Dee. The ferry service had been operating since 1790 and was run by the Manifold family.

Ferry service history

The ferry service began in 1790 and was run by the Manifold family

The ferry service was a 12-seat service that operated from 5 AM–9 PM

The ferry carried babies, coffins, and was used for chain-making and sea-going industries

The ferry service ended around 1966

Footbridge construction

The footbridge is a four span reinforced concrete structure

The bridge is approximately 100m long and 2.14m wide

The bridge was built with a removable central section to allow boats with tall masts to navigate upstream

The bridge is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists

River Dee

The River Dee has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)."

Various sources; AI Summary

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-30532480

jenningsbce.co.uk/saltney-ferry-foot-bridge

sealandcommunitycouncil.co.uk/about/local-history

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