RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomWalesNorth WalesFlintshireShotton
River Dee Riverside Trail – Chester Water Tower loop from Shotton
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomWalesNorth WalesFlintshireShotton
River Dee Riverside Trail – Chester Water Tower loop from Shotton
Hard
5.0
(2)
22
hikers
River Dee Riverside Trail – Chester Water Tower loop from Shotton
05:54
23.5km
20m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 28, 2026
Tips
Includes a movable bridge
Check opening times.
After 11.9 km for 9 m
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
1
689 m
Hawarden Bridge Railway Station
Highlight • Cycleway
A 'tip' rather than a 'highlight'
"The station is not staffed and only has basic amenities (departure screens, waiting shelters and timetable poster boards on each platform). Step-free access is available to both platforms, but transfer between them requires the use of a level crossing at the end of the platforms towards the bridge. The Chester Millennium Greenway cycle route runs adjacent to the station and provides access to the northbound platform. The route also connects the station to Shotton."
You can't buy tickets at the station but you can buy them online or on board from the ticket inspector. From Bidston, where the trains terminate in one direction, you can join the Merseyrail network to travel onwards to the Wirral and Liverpool.
Sources;
tfw.wales/places/stations/hawarden-bridge
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawarden_Bridge_railway_station
"The station is not staffed and only has basic amenities (departure screens, waiting shelters and timetable poster boards on each platform). Step-free access is available to both platforms, but transfer between them requires the use of a level crossing at the end of the platforms towards the bridge. The Chester Millennium Greenway cycle route runs adjacent to the station and provides access to the northbound platform. The route also connects the station to Shotton."
You can't buy tickets at the station but you can buy them online or on board from the ticket inspector. From Bidston, where the trains terminate in one direction, you can join the Merseyrail network to travel onwards to the Wirral and Liverpool.
Sources;
tfw.wales/places/stations/hawarden-bridge
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawarden_Bridge_railway_station
Tip by
2
916 m
John Summers Clock Tower, Shotton Steelworks
Highlight • Monument
"The John Summer Clock Tower building opened in 1907 and was the headquarters of Shotton Steelworks, before closing in 2009 and falling into serious disrepair after being sold by the company. Wilsons Auctions have now taken on the restoration project, with a view to securing the future of the historic and Grade II listed site."
You can read more about the history of the building, Shotton Point and surrounding areas here;
wilsonsauctions.com/news/history-of-shotton-point
You can read more about the history of the building, Shotton Point and surrounding areas here;
wilsonsauctions.com/news/history-of-shotton-point
Tip by
3
1.04 km
River Dee Riverside Trail
Highlight • Trail
Traffic-free stretch of riverside path between Hawarden Bridge and Chester. Link with Chester Greenway for the full River Dee Round.
Tip by
4
8.06 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
"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
Tip by
5
11.8 km
Chester Water Tower
Highlight • Historical Site
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
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 •
Tip by
6
21.3 km
Jubilee Bridge (Blue Bridge), Queensferry
Highlight • Historical Site
"The Jubilee Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) is a double leaf rolling bascule bridge which spans the River Dee at Queensferry, Wales.
The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. between 1925 and 1927. It takes its name from an earlier bridge on the same site which was completed during the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The abutments of the old bridge are still visible at both sides to the left (facing north) of the current bridge. The remains can be seen at low tide near the abutments.
By the 1960s shipping had ceased on the River Dee. The bridge's lifting mechanism was removed and the roadway fixed permanently in place. In 2005 the Jubilee Bridge was awarded Grade II Listed building status by Cadw."
Source: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Bridge_(Queensferry)
The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. between 1925 and 1927. It takes its name from an earlier bridge on the same site which was completed during the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The abutments of the old bridge are still visible at both sides to the left (facing north) of the current bridge. The remains can be seen at low tide near the abutments.
By the 1960s shipping had ceased on the River Dee. The bridge's lifting mechanism was removed and the roadway fixed permanently in place. In 2005 the Jubilee Bridge was awarded Grade II Listed building status by Cadw."
Source: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Bridge_(Queensferry)
Tip by
7
22.9 km
Hawarden Bridge
Highlight • Historical Site
"Hawarden Bridge (/ˈhɑːrdən/; Welsh: Pont Penarlâg) is a railway bridge over the River Dee, near Shotton, Flintshire, Wales. It was built by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (which later became the Great Central Railway), as part of the Chester & Connah's Quay Railway. It opened on 3 August 1889.
During the 1880s, the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company undertook the construction of a line between Chester Northgate and what is now known as Hawarden Bridge Junction. The most significant geographical feature of the route to overcome was the River Dee. It was decided to opt for a 165 meter-long bridge to cross over the river; this structure was complicated by the need to incorporate a means of passage for the tall ships that traversed the Dee at this time. The Board of Trade, advised by Sir George Nares, decreed that the envisioned bridge would need a single navigable opening of at least 140 feet.
Hawarden Bridge was designed by the civil engineer C.A. Hobson. The bridge was officially opened to traffic on 3 August 1889; the opening ceremony was officiated by Catherine Gladstone, the wife of Prime Minister William William Gladstone.
A key feature of the Hawarden Bridge was its central section, which was referred to as Span 10; this allowed it to function as a swing bridge. As originally built, it was able to rotate through 90-degrees to enable the passage of tall ships on the River Dee. At the time of its completion, this was the largest opening span of any swing bridge in the United Kingdom.
Presently, the bridge can no longer open, the span having been welded shut decades ago. The last time that Span 10 was opened was during 1960. The remains of the rotating mechanism – hydraulic cylinders attached to a drive chain and sprocket – are still visible beneath the bridge. Both pedestrians and cyclists may also traverse Hawarden Bridge via a dedicated walkway. The walkway, which connected between the Wales Coast Path and the Chester Greenway Railway Path section of National Cycle Route 5, is the responsibility of registered charity Sustrans Cymru."
You can read more about the bridge here;
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawarden_Bridge
During the 1880s, the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company undertook the construction of a line between Chester Northgate and what is now known as Hawarden Bridge Junction. The most significant geographical feature of the route to overcome was the River Dee. It was decided to opt for a 165 meter-long bridge to cross over the river; this structure was complicated by the need to incorporate a means of passage for the tall ships that traversed the Dee at this time. The Board of Trade, advised by Sir George Nares, decreed that the envisioned bridge would need a single navigable opening of at least 140 feet.
Hawarden Bridge was designed by the civil engineer C.A. Hobson. The bridge was officially opened to traffic on 3 August 1889; the opening ceremony was officiated by Catherine Gladstone, the wife of Prime Minister William William Gladstone.
A key feature of the Hawarden Bridge was its central section, which was referred to as Span 10; this allowed it to function as a swing bridge. As originally built, it was able to rotate through 90-degrees to enable the passage of tall ships on the River Dee. At the time of its completion, this was the largest opening span of any swing bridge in the United Kingdom.
Presently, the bridge can no longer open, the span having been welded shut decades ago. The last time that Span 10 was opened was during 1960. The remains of the rotating mechanism – hydraulic cylinders attached to a drive chain and sprocket – are still visible beneath the bridge. Both pedestrians and cyclists may also traverse Hawarden Bridge via a dedicated walkway. The walkway, which connected between the Wales Coast Path and the Chester Greenway Railway Path section of National Cycle Route 5, is the responsibility of registered charity Sustrans Cymru."
You can read more about the bridge here;
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawarden_Bridge
Tip by
B
23.5 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
20.1 km
1.62 km
1.11 km
668 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
19.6 km
1.84 km
1.23 km
800 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Wednesday 29 July
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13°C
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