Debbie North, from Access The Outdoor Guide, uses a variety of off-road mobility wheelchairs to access the countryside and wants to inspire other less-mobile users to do the same through accessible wheel-friendly walks. Here are five of her favourites.
1) Sulber Nick Circular Walk
Location: Yorkshire Dales
If you’ve been searching for a wheelchair walk near Horton-In-Ribblesdale and are looking to explore the Yorkshire Three Peaks area as a disabled walker, then look no further. Walking with wheels around Ingleborough is easier than you might think!
This circular walk takes you through the accessible Nature Reserve of Ingleborough and is suitable for someone who is travelling in a sturdy 4×4 all-terrain wheelchair. I personally used a Terrain Hopper when heading out on this route.
2) Botallack Circular Walk
Location: Cornwall
For a small fee you can hire a rugged Tramper mobility scooter, provided by Countryside Mobility South West at Levant Mine.
The National Trust’s restored steam winding engine at Levant Mine was also used as the setting of Poldark’s Tressider’s Rolling Mill. West Wheal Owles Mine was the setting for the fictional Wheal Leisure tin mine which Ross Poldark finds in ruins on his return to Cornwall.
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3) Tideswell Linear Walk
Location: Peak District
Tideswell Dale is a beautiful wheel-friendly route in the heart of the Peak District National Park.
The walk begins at the pay and display car park a short distance south of the village at Tideswell Dale (free to blue badge holders). There are toilets at the car park too (RADAR) and the footpath is clearly marked towards Miller’s Dale. There are plenty of accessible places to stay nearby including the Vicarage, Bolehill and Peak Venues.
The path meanders along the river, where there are picnic benches and seating. Watch out for some lovely sculpture along the way, and a picnic spot next to the footpath.
4) Thornham Linear Walk
Location: Norfolk
This is a joy of a walk, following the coastal path that meanders along the tops of sand dunes on the edge of the sea. It’s a short section of the 84-mile Norfolk Coastal Path and this bit from Thornham to near Old Hunstanton, is completely barrier free.
Accommodation that isn’t too far away that caters for those less able is Church Farm Barns and Park House Hotel on the nearby Sandringham Estate.
5) Sutton Bank Linear Walk
North York Moors
The North York Moors became a National Park in 1952. It covers around 1,400 miles of moors, forest and coastland.
This accessible walk in the North York Moors begins at the Visitors Centre at Sutton Bank. The track lead along the cliff top and the views are breath taking. There are plenty of benches along the way to take a break and to soak up the scenery.
Thank you to Debbie and our friends at Access The Outdoor Guide for sharing their favourite accessible routes.
