Devil's Hole Trail

Liverpool & Lancashire

Image shows a sandy path towards devils hole at NT Formby, with marram grass either side — Devils Hole NT Formby | © NT Formby Chris Hunter

Similar to the Lost Resort trail, this route was developed in partnership between Sefton Council and the Formby Civic Society and opened in 2016. The route continues south beyond Albert Road, and is aptly named after the huge, biodiverse wet slack which is a prominent feature on this part of the site.

Near to

Formby

Start point

The trail can be started at the grid reference: SD 27895 05915. This is on Albert Road, Formby, L37 2EH. The trail can also be connected to the Lost Resort trail from either end of Albert Road.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly

*The trail is largely unsurfaced, with the majority over dune grassland and bare sand. Gradients can reach 1:6 regularly and dune grassland vegetation can narrow the path to 60cm in places. For more information, please see the Terrain section or take a look at our Accessibility Guide.

Address
L37 2EH
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Local Merseyrail services run every 15 minutes to Formby train station, which is approximately 1.4 miles from the start of the trail National services run to Liverpool Lime Street in Liverpool city centre, which is approximately 14 miles away.
On foot
The start of the trail can be gained by walking south down Albert Road from the eastern end of Lifeboat Road.
By bus
Local buses in Formby run from Formby train station, and the F3 service passes close by the eastern end of Lifeboat Road.
Cycling
Cycle racks can be found next to the portable toilets at Lifeboat Road car park.
By road
Formby town can be accessed from the Formby bypass (A565) easily if coming from either Southport or Switch Island, at the end of the M57 and M58. These motorways connect to the M62 and M6 respectively.
Dogs
Suitable for dogs under close control.
Car park
Lifeboat Road car park has limited parking spaces and can get very busy on sunny days. Please use public transport where possible. See "Getting Here" for more information on public transport options.
Toilet
Unisex portable toilets, and a portable toilet with accessible features can be found at Lifeboat Road car park.
Cycle parking
Cycle racks can be found next to the portable toilets at Lifeboat Road car park.
Sand wheelchairs are available to borrow for free. Please see our Accessibility Guide for details of how to rent them.
Designated parking
Each of the three bays at Lifeboat Road car park have accessible parking spaces.
Accessible toilet
A portable toilet with accessible features can be found at Lifeboat Road car park.
Seating available
The route has 4 benches, with a maximum distance of 800m between them.
Steps/uneven terrain
The trail is largely unsurfaced, with the majority over dune grassland and bare sand. Gradients can reach 1:6 regularly and dune grassland vegetation can narrow the path to 60cm in places.
Wheelchairs available
Sand wheelchairs are available to borrow for free. Please see our Accessibility Guide for details of how to rent them.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
The trail can be started at the grid reference: SD 27895 05915. This is on Albert Road, Formby, L37 2EH. The trail can also be connected to the Lost Resort trail from either end of Albert Road.
Stage 1
Head south through the mature pine woodland for around 350m until you reach more open dune grassland, and as the western edge of the woodland becomes sparser, with some trees engulfed by the encroaching mobile sand dune.
Look out for squirrels
Despite the northern half of site being more well-known for spotting red squirrels, it is easy to find evidence of squirrels using the woodlands here, as bare, nibbled pinecones can be spotted scattered around the base of mature trees. Many of these trees have been shaped by the strong coastal winds and the lack of shelter they get immediately to their west and south. Therefore, many of the trees are gnarled and leaning heavily, having adapted to the winds.
Stage 2
Here the trail can take two directions. For the easier route, continue south along the eastern edge of the large sand dune, and then as the woodland ends, bend right to reach an interpretation board after about 100m. Alternatively, to see the Devil’s Hole feature, head straight up the steep dune. Walk around the outside of the slack, then up and over the track on the opposite side of the blowout to regain the trail (step 4). Thank you for helping to protect all the wonderful wildlife around you by being mindful as you wander and not letting dogs into the water of any of the slacks around the site, as this is where rare natterjack toads breed.
Look out for views
For those heading south and west around the outside of Devil’s Hole, enjoy the fabulous views south over the fixed dune grassland, as well as the eerie decaying woodland immediately in front of the interpretation board. These stunted, dead and dying pine trees, have been exposed to the harsh coastal conditions, leaving many dead, and others likely not far behind. Despite this, dead standing and fallen timber is fantastic habitat for many invertebrates and birds.
Stage 3
After passing the interpretation board, continue heading south for around 100m until the route crosses another sandy track running north-east to south-west. Here, head south-west (right) and continue along this track for around 250m to reach another interpretation board. Between April and November please keep dogs on a lead in this area as there are cattle grazing to help restore the dune grasslands.
Look out for skylarks and grazing cattle
The fixed dune grassland here is home to many ground nesting birds such as skylarks and stonechats, both of which are often heard before seen. Skylarks’ musical song is easily recognisable once heard and identified, whereas stonechats are aptly named for their call which sounds like two stones being struck together. Between November and April you may also spot cattle grazing in the grasslands. English longhorns are one of Britain’s oldest established native breeds. Often described as gentle giants, they are known for their calm and placid nature. Their resilience and ability to graze and browse a wide range of vegetation make them ideal for conservation grazing.
Stage 4
Continue south-west past the interpretation board, climbing the steep sandy track to gain the top of the rolling fixed dune grasslands. Follow the waymarkers as they traverse the top of these dunes heading north towards Albert Road. Between April and November please keep dogs on a lead in this area as there are cattle grazing to help restore the dune grasslands.
Look out for flora and grazing cattle
The path that heads from Step 2 up and into Devil’s Hole re-joins the trail along the route heading north. To gain great views of the feature, head east to the highest ridge-point around Devil’s Hole. Thought to have originally been formed from a bomb that fell during the Second World War, Devil’s Hole has since been transformed by natural scouring-out processes, being colonised by over 200 species of flora, including many rare orchids and willows. Between November and April you may also spot English longhorn cattle grazing in the grasslands. Hardy and adaptable, they thrive in the coastal climate and rugged terrain of the dunes
Stage 5
There is a short off-shoot of the trail which takes visitors to see the old Royal Observer Corps bunker, taking a right-hand turn about 150m south of Albert Road, for about 100m up the sand dune. After re-joining the main north-south trail, continue for around 200m to reach the western edge of Albert Road.
End point
After reaching the most western end of Albert Road, you can head inland for around 450m to get back to where you started (grid reference: SD 27895 05915). Otherwise, you can also pick up the Lost Resort trail here, heading north and then looping back to the original starting point for this route.
Trail map
Formby Devils Hole Trail Map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH

01704878591

formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

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