Outdoor activities at Formby
- Published:
- 18 November 2025
Discover the great outdoors at Formby. Whether you're setting off on a peaceful walk along the dunes, cycling through woodland trails, or navigating the landscape with orienteering, there's something here for everyone. Formby is the perfect place to stretch your legs and connect with nature.
Limited parking at Formby
If you’re travelling to us by car, we recommend planning your outdoor adventure for a weekday if you can. It’s best to avoid sunny days particularly at weekends and during school holidays as the car parks get very busy and often close by mid-morning. Please note the Victoria Road car park is currently closed for a major conservation project.
Orienteering at Formby
Orienteering is a great way to explore the outdoors. It doesn't matter how young, old or fit you are as you can choose the course that's right for you and run, jog or walk it at your own pace.
Thanks to our friends at Deeside Orienteering Club we now have 6 permanent routes to choose from at Formby with shorter and longer options. Well behaved dogs are welcome to join in the fun under close control, so why not bring the whole family along for an adventure?
White is the easiest course, suitable for young beginners. Control points are fairly close together, and usually at path junctions; distance is typically 1-1.5km; the best route should be obvious, along major footpaths.
Yellow is slightly longer and harder than White. Controls may be further apart and are placed at junctions or obvious features; distance is typically 1-2.5km; the best route should be relatively obvious, but not necessarily along main footpaths.
Orange courses are of medium difficulty and distance, suitable for adult beginners – controls may be 50 metres from paths, and reading map detail such as contours may be necessary; distance is typically 2-3.5km; you may have several choices of route – some of which may be across terrain rather than along paths.
Check out the options and download a copy of your chosen route before you visit here
Tag us in your orienteering adventures @NTFormby @deesidevolunteeringclub
Cycling at Formby
Cycling offers a refreshing way to experience Formby’s unique landscapes - from sweeping sand dunes to peaceful pine woods. Whether you're pedalling along quiet paths or linking up with nearby trails, it’s a chance to enjoy the outdoors at your own pace and see this special place from a new perspective.
Here’s some useful information to help you on your way:
Paths and trails: cyclists are welcome to use the paths and walking trails across the site. Thank you for cycling safely and considerately, as pedestrians, dogs, horse riders (on the bridle path), and wildlife also use these paths.
Sefton Coast Path and English Coast Path: These popular, well-used, cycle-friendly paths pass through the site connecting the 1.5 miles between Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road car parks.
Cycle racks: Two sheffield cycle racks are located next to the toilets at Lifeboat Road car park.
E-bikes are welcome but must have pedals that can propel, with power assistance limited to a maximum speed of 15.5 mph and a motor that does not exceed 250 watts of continuous power output.
Motorised Vehicles: to help protect this special place and the wildlife that calls it home, motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes cannot be used on site.
Train travel with your bike – Merseyrail offer free bike storage at 61 secure cycle storage shelters on the network at 56 locations and also allow bikes on board for free. Each train has designated areas for cyclists. Trains can become very congested during peak hours (before 9.30am), and Merseyrail advise, for your comfort, that you travel off peak with a bike.
Find out more here
We’re committed to supporting alternative and greener travel options to NT Formby. Why not turn your next visit into an adventure and travel to us by bike? People arriving on foot or by bike can visit for free.
For more information on the Countryside Code for cyclists click here
Walking trails at Formby
To help you explore and connect with nature there are a number of walking routes to follow. We are working on uploading the trails to our website so that you can download a route description and map before you visit. In the meantime, you can also see the walking trails on the Formby site map here
Keeping Formby special (activity licences and permission)
We want everyone to enjoy connecting with nature at Formby but we need your help to care for all the wonderful wildlife that lives here.
You’re welcome to host outdoor events and activities at NT Formby, particularly if they help people connect with nature. Getting in touch with the team is a must to chat through your idea, seek permission and get a licence. This is to help make sure everyone taking part has a safe and enjoyable experience.
As NT Formby is a special and protected place it’s important that we work with you to ensure that any outdoor activities are suitable for the location and don’t harm the wildlife we’re here to protect.
Outdoor activities such as commercial photo shoots, filming and exercise classes need special permission and a licence too.
There are also some activities including metal detecting and recreational flying of drones that are not allowed as they can disturb wildlife and people or damage the landscape.
Find out more below. Thank you for helping us care for this special place
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