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Accessible walking holidays
Recreational walking is one of the simplest yet most enjoyable activities available – and thanks to numerous accessible routes across the UK – it’s one that can be enjoyed by all.
Walks suitable for people with limited mobility are available in hundreds of locations around the country. Many have been purpose-built or adapted with accessibility in mind, whereas others are just naturally wheelchair- or mobility-scooter-friendly.
In addition to having level access and no steps or styles, lots of walking routes also have disabled facilities onsite, such as disabled car park spaces, disabled toilets and Braille signage.
We have accessible accommodation available in fantastic walking destinations in the UK and abroad. To book your walking holiday, or for more information, contact us on 0161 260 2218 or submit an enquiry.
Book with DisabledHolidays.com for:
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There are lots of great disabled-friendly walking trails available right across the UK. Here are just a few of our recommendations for walks close to our accessible accommodation.
Lake District / Devon / Norfolk / Isle of Wight / Yorkshire / Scotland / Wales
Accessible walks in England
Lake District
One of the UK’s most dramatically beautiful regions, the Lake District is a wonderful accessible walking holiday destination. The Lake District National Park’s “Miles without Styles” programme has designated 48 trails suitable for the disabled, including wheelchair users and the visually impaired.
Recommended walk
Winderemere’s Western Shore
Distance: 2.75 miles
Start point: Ferry House (grid ref. SD 391957). Turning point: Red Nab car park (grid ref. SD 386994)
A world away from the hustle and bustle of Bowness and Windermere town, this route leads up the lake’s western shoreline, from the Ferry House ferry crossing to Red Nab, and back again.
Following tarmac and level stone paths through woodland and open meadow, it provides expansive views across the lake to Bowness and further north to the Troutbeck hills. The western shore is wooded with pebble beaches and has plenty of places to rest for a picnic.
The route is suitable for accompanied push wheelchair users, electric wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
Facilities: Toilets at Ferry Nab and Ferry House. Refreshments at Bowness and Claife Station Courtyard Café
Devon
With its golden beaches, evocative moors and rolling hills, Devon is great walking country. As well as having many great inland routes, the entirety of its north and south coasts are spanned by the South West Coast Path, sections of which are accessible to all.
Recommended walk
Baggy Point
Distance: Two miles
Starting point: Baggy Point car park, Moor Lane, Croyde, Devon
An easy walk that’s great for families, this route leads from Croyde Bay on the north Devon coast to the rugged tip of Baggy Point. A Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features, it’s a great place for bird-watching and even seal-spotting, with far-reaching coastal views.
The route follows a well-surfaced, fairly flat path that is suitable for wheelchairs, all-terrain mobility scooters and pushchairs almost to the very tip of the headland.
Facilities: National Trust car park, tea room
Norfolk
Norfolk has an inviting selection of landscapes to explore on foot, from its 90 miles of scenic coastline to beautiful countryside, forests and heathland, and of course the Norfolk Broads. Many of its trails are disabled-friendly and have accessible facilities onsite.
Recommended walk
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve Boardwalk
Distance: Less than a mile
Starting point: Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, Turf Moor Rd, Fakenham, NR21 9GN
Located in the delightful Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, just outside Fakenham, this boardwalk trail takes visitors through natural woodland and fens leading to the River Wensum.
The nature reserve is free to enter and is internationally recognised for its important wildlife, being home to tawny and barn owls, kingfishers, buzzards, woodpeckers, tree creepers, water and bank voles, stoats, weasels and more. It’s also of special interest to naturalists keen on wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies.
Facilities: Wheelchair access to all through boardwalks across the nature reserve. Disabled toilets, visitor centre
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight offers some spectacular walks, with cliff-top views, rolling hills, peaceful woodland, sandy beaches and plenty of wildlife to spot. Several of its trails are suitable for wheelchair users.
Recommended walk
Fine fortifications trail
Distance: 1.8 miles
Starting point: National Trust car park at Bembridge Fort, Culver Down Road, Sandown
Starting at Bembridge Fort, near the Isle’s east coast, this easy and fairly flat walk along the top of the downs helps give a fascinating insight into the Isle of Wight’s role in wartime defence and intelligence.
The route passes several remains of WWII buildings, including the Culver Battery and Signal Station, as well as providing amazing views over Sandown Bay, Whitecliff Bay and Brading Haven.
The walk is suitable for most wheelchairs. Tours of Bembridge Fort itself are available on Tuesdays but need to be booked in advance.
Facilities: Free car parking at Culver Down, refreshments available at the Culver Haven Inn or seasonal café opposite the Yarborough monument
Yorkshire
With its stunning coastline, idyllic dales, magnificent moors and world-class heritage sites, Yorkshire is a walker’s paradise. There’s no shortage of accessible walking routes either, with plenty of pathways accessible for people with limited mobility.
Recommended walk
Nostell Priory Menagerie Garden Walk
Distance: 1.4 miles
Starting point: Nostell Priory and Parkland, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF4 1QE
Created in the 18th century, Nostell Priory’s landscaped park and gardens were designed to impress, stretching over 300 acres and encompassing wildflower meadows, lakes and woodland.
The walk leads through the Menagerie Garden, which was once home to exotic species, including monkeys, colourful birds and even lions. Today the main draw is its tranquil woodland setting around the lake, which can be explored via all-weather paths suitable for wheelchairs.
The walk is particularly stunning in autumn, when acers, golden hazel and cut-leaf beech trees meld into distinctive burnt reds and oranges as their leaves begin to turn and fall.
Facilities: Disabled parking, adapted toilets on ground floor of house and in the courtyard, café and shop. Nostell Priory itself is wheelchair-accessible, with level access and a lift to the upper floors
Accessible walks in Scotland
Scotland’s unique beauty and wealth of unspoilt countryside make it a fantastic destination for a relaxing getaway. Accessible walks can be found across the country, from the Cairngorms and the Highlands to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. It even has a wheelchair-accessible munro – Schiehallion, in Perthshire.
Dumfries and Galloway
Dalbeattie Forest
Distance: 1.5 miles
Starting point: Plantain Loch, Dalbeattie Forest (car park grid ref. NX 836 599)
Created to allow better access for people of all abilities, the Easy Access Trail in Dalbeattie Forest follows a varied route through mixed woodland and open clearings. The trail starts beside the pretty Plantain Loch, with its ducks and dragonflies, before passing sculptures great and small hiding among the trees.
The route is ideal for accompanied and more able wheelchair users, as well as families with off-road pushchairs. There is also ample opportunity to stop and rest along the way.
Facilities: Wheelchair access, picnic areas
Dumfries and Galloway accommodation
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Loch Ard
Distance: Two to ten miles
Starting point: Loch Ard, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (car park grid ref. NN 498 010)
Nestled in the south-eastern reaches of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Loch Ard has 16 miles of pathways to explore through its Sculpture Trail, five of which are suitable for wheelchairs.
The Sculpture Trail is perfect for families, with kids having fun discovering the sculptures representing different animals, insects and birds comprising the surrounding forest’s natural food chain.
The loch is also home to Go Country Adventure Park, where you can enjoy a range of water sports and outdoor activities, including the hamster ball, kayaking, gorge walking and orienteering.
Facilities: Disabled parking, gift shop, public toilets
Accessible walks in Wales
Wonderful Wales is full of excellent accessible walks. Whether you’re holidaying by its wild coastlines, spectacular mountain ranges or seafront promenades, there’s more than likely to be a disabled-friendly route nearby.
Snowdonia
Mawddach Trail
Distance: Nine miles (or one of six shorter segments)
Starting point: Dolgellau (grid ref. SH 725 175) or Barmouth (grid ref. SH 615 155)
Located in the southern part of Snowdonia National Park, this trail follows the beautiful Mawddach estuary, giving visitors the chance to experience some of Snowdonia’s most striking scenery. The route runs for nine miles in total, but it can be joined at several points, including Morfa Mawddach and Penmaenpool, if you want a shorter walk.
The River Mawddach has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation on account of its salt marsh and lowland peat habitats, making it especially popular with wildlife enthusiasts.
Facilities: Accessible toilets, wide gates for wheelchairs, accessible benches and picnic tables
Pembrokeshire
Saundersfoot to Stepaside
Distance: 1.8 to 2.2 miles
Starting point: Saundersfoot harbour car park, Cambrian Place, Saundersfoot, SA69 9HE
Pembrokeshire has lots of enjoyable accessible walks, most of them located along its breathtaking 180-mile coastal path. One of the best is the Saundersfoot to Stepaside route, which follows the old railway line that used to carry coal from the local mines to Saundersfoot harbour.
The first half takes you along a lovely coastal path with views across Carmarthen Bay. At Wiseman’s Bridge you can extend the walk by crossing the road to access a new path up Pleasant Valley to Stepaside Ironworks, coming back through scenic woodland.
Facilities: Accessible toilets at Harbour and Regency car parks, plenty of cafés in Saunderfoot
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