Ainsdale National Nature Reserve is a must for lover of wildlife for here you might see the natterjack toad and sand lizard, both rare and protected by law. The most common plant on the sand dunes is the marram grass which binds the dunes together and stops erosion. In times past local people used this for thatching and for grazing. The grass became sadly depleted and the wind subsequently blew much of the shifting sands inland. Measures were taken to manage the dunes, including the planting of trees. The Corsican pine trees along the Woodland Path were planted about 100 years ago.

Also alongside the route are old asparagus fields. Here farmers once toiled with sandy soils to produce a fine spring crop for the Liverpool and Lancashire markets.

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