The pine forest

‍About ten minutes' walk from the parkYou're closer than you'd think.

The pinewoods behind the park are part of Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve, one of the most important wildlife sites in England, and about ten minutes on foot from your pitch.

Red squirrels live in these pinewoods, and the reserve is one of the best remaining strongholds for the natterjack toad, so it's worth walking quietly and keeping your eyes open.

Getting in
Fisherman's Path and the Woodland Path are both firm enough for bikes, pushchairs and wheelchairs. If you're putting it in a phone, the reserve postcode is PR8 3QW.

The full circular walk
5.2 miles, around two and a half hours, all off-road.
Out along Fisherman's Path past Woodvale Airfield, through the dunes and Massams Slack, then back through the woodland to Coastal Road.

The dunes section is waymarked on the ground, so follow the markers — online maps don't route through the dunes accurately.

‍[Button: Route on Google Maps → the Ainsdale Reserve Circular walking link from the park's route-maps document]

‍Bringing the dog
Dogs need to be on a lead in the parts of the woodland where the signs say so, and they aren't allowed in the fenced enclosures at any time of year.

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