Hilbre CrossingChecking for updates…999 Coastguard
ROUTE

Via Little Eye. Never direct.

About 2 miles each way. Allow 45–60 minutes.

Find your position on the walk

Open the live map to see your location and distance from the indicative line.

Open live GPS map

Watch the walk

15 seconds · watch before you set out

  • Line: the route to follow
  • Dashed areas: Hoylake gutter and Dee channel, deep and fast-filling. Do not enter.
  • Dots and labels: Dee Lane slipway, Little Eye, Middle Eye and the rocks below Hilbre

On the sand

West KirbyDEE CHANNELHOYLAKE GUTTERHilbreMiddle EyeLittle Eye1234Dee Lane slipway
  • Route to follow
  • Direct line: never walk it
  • No-go channels
  • Islands

Schematic, not to scale. Indicative route based on Friends of Hilbre crossing guidance. Not surveyed or ranger-approved. Don't rely on GPS to avoid channels.

  1. 1
    Start at Dee Lane slipway

    Read the crossing board before you step onto the sand.

  2. 2
    Walk out to Little Eye

    Head for the smallest, southernmost island. Do not aim for Hilbre.

  3. 3
    Turn right, pass Middle Eye

    Keep Middle Eye on your left as you walk north.

  4. 4
    Cross the rocks to Hilbre

    Weed and barnacles: go slowly. Come back the same way.

Signal can drop on the sands. See Friends of Hilbre crossing guidance and the board at Dee Lane.