Walk to Hilbre

The islands sit a mile off the end of the lake wall. At low tide you can walk out from the Dee Lane slipway, right next to the centre. Check today's safe window before you set off, and be back before it closes.

Today's crossing window

When it's safe to walk today.

Worked out from the official high-water predictions for Hilbre Island, published by the National Oceanography Centre, using the RNLI's rule: set off no earlier than three hours after high water, and be off the island at least three and a half hours before the next one.

These are predicted tide times and don't include weather. Strong wind or low pressure can close the route early. Check the noticeboard at the Dee Lane slipway immediately before you set out, and don't cross if the board, the weather or what you can see gives you any concern.

Loading tide times…

The next seven days

Daytime windows only. Never cross in darkness, fog or poor visibility. Times are local (BST/GMT) at Hilbre Island.

DaySet off afterLeave the island byNext high water

The route.

About two miles each way, 45 to 60 minutes of walking in each direction. Follow the recognised line across the sands; there are no safe shortcuts.

  1. Wirral WatersportsMeet at the centre. Grab a coffee and some snacks to take with you, check the window above and use the loos before you head out.
  2. Dee Lane slipwayBeside the marine lake, a minute from our front door. Read the noticeboard and today's leave-by time before you step onto the sand.
  3. Little EyeKeep to the recognised line across the sands. Don't cut along the shoreline.
  4. Middle EyeCross the final channel only while the window is open, then stick to the established paths.
  5. Hilbre IslandExplore, then leave by the deadline with the full walk back in hand, even when that's well before 8pm.
Map of the walk from West Kirby to Hilbre Island From Wirral Watersports at the marine lake, walk to the Dee Lane slipway, then west across the sands to Little Eye, north-west to Middle Eye, and on to Hilbre Island at the mouth of the Dee Estuary. Do not approach from Red Rocks or Hoylake to the north, or Caldy to the south. RED ROCKSDON'T CROSS FROM HERE HOYLAKEDON'T CROSS FROM HERE CALDYDON'T CROSSFROM HERE HILBRE ISLAND MIDDLE EYE LITTLE EYE DEE LANE SLIPWAY WIRRALWATERSPORTS MARINELAKE WEST KIRBY DEE ESTUARY WALES ACROSS THE WATER SANDS EXPOSED AT LOW WATER ABOUT 2 MILES EACH WAY · NOT TO SCALE N
The recognised route. Simplified sketch, not to scale.

Before you go

  • Check the window above, the weather and the Dee Lane noticeboard.
  • Sturdy footwear you don't mind getting wet. Rocks and mud are slippery.
  • Water, food, warm waterproof layers, sun protection, a charged phone.
  • Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
  • There's no reliable shelter on the islands. Dress for exposed weather.

Don't

  • Cross in darkness, fog or poor visibility.
  • Stay past the leave-by time. The RNLI says be back at least 3.5 hours before the next high tide, and Friends of Hilbre ask everyone to be off the islands by 8pm.
  • Approach from Red Rocks, Hoylake or Caldy. Mud and tidal channels.
  • Rely on what you can see. Water fills the channels behind you before it reaches the route, and wind or low pressure can close it early.

If you're cut off

  • Don't try to swim or wade back.
  • Get to the highest ground you can reach and stay there.
  • Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Hilbre is a Local Nature Reserve managed by Wirral Council. It's free to visit. Keep to the paths and give the seals and birds their space.

Sources: NTSLF Hilbre Island tide predictions, RNLI safety advice for West Kirby and Hilbre, Wirral Council and Friends of Hilbre visitor guidance.

Back on dry land.

The centre is a short walk from the slipway. Rinse the sand off, warm up in the sauna and eat in the restaurant.

See what's here