Our top accessible walks

Lady in a wheelchair looking at a map of the Giant's Causeway trails

We’ve picked some of our favourite accessible trails, taking in gardens, coastal clifftops and rolling countryside. Well maintained paths and easy terrain make these routes suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility aids.

We want everyone to be able to get out and enjoy the countryside and enjoy the fresh air with friends and family. So, we've created multi-use trails that enable people to experience nature and wildlife without having to go off the beaten track.  

We've also teamed up with our partners Cotswold Outdoor to create a new mini-series to get you inspired and prepared for your next adventure.

In this article: 

Explore the countryside with our new video series

In our four-part series, wildlife presenter Lizzie Daly explores how we look after the countryside so walkers can enjoy the view and nature can thrive. Throughout the series, she joins our rangers on a wide variety of walking trails that take in mountain summits, coastal landscapes, urban areas and accessible routes suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility aids. 

Wildlife presenter Lizzie Daly joins us on a walk to Skirrid Play Video
Video

Take a multi-use trail with Lizzie Daly

We're inviting you on a nature walk across the Blickling Estate in Norfolk. Follow Lizzie and our area ranger Bethan along a multi-use trail used by walkers and runners, as well as people with buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Discover a lake full of wildlife, ancient lime trees, a mysterious landmark, plus walking tips for all the family.

Discover more walks with Lizzie Daly Take to the trails

Choose your walking trail
An aerial view of Blickling Estate

Blickling Estate, Norfolk 

Did our video get you in the mood for exploring the countryside? Why not follow the same trail? This flat multi-use trail will take you through woodland and across farmland. There's also wildlife and historical monuments to discover along the way.

Follow in Lizzie's footsteps
Bring the whole family for a wander at Killerton, Devon
Walking trail

Killerton, Devon 

This walk takes you through the park at Killerton before heading into the hillside garden. Keep an eye out for the giant redwood, which is the tallest tree in the garden. The walk follows fairly easy terrain along gravel paths. It is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible, although there are a few ascents and descents along the way.

Explore Killerton's park and gardens
Sunset over the sea thrift at Baggy Point, Croyde
Walking trail

Baggy Point, Devon 

This easy walk is great for families. It takes you along the west side of Baggy Point with far-reaching coastal and sea views. Bird watchers will have plenty to look out for, and if you have a keen eye you may see seals. At certain times of year, you can even watch rock climbers scaling the cliffs. The route follows a well-surfaced and fairly flat path, which is suitable for wheelchairs, all-terrain mobility scooters and pushchairs.

Explore Baggy Point
Panoramic view over Runkerry Head

Giant's Causeway green trail 

This clifftop trail boasts incredible views of the Giant's Causeway and, if the weather is clear, you can see as far as Scotland and the Inishowen Peninsula in Ireland. At Runkerry Head you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins and porpoises swimming in the bay.

Plan your coastal adventure
Nelly's Moss Lake, Cragside in Northumberland

Nelly's Moss lakes walk, Cragside, Northumberland 

This flat family-friendly trail takes you around two of Cragside's lakes, which used to supply power and water to the house and gardens during Victorian times. The lakes are now a haven for wildlife. Look out for frogs, toads and herons.

Follow the trail
There are stunning views across to Sidmouth from many sections of this accessible walk
Walking trail

Salcombe Hill, Devon 

This short cliff-top walk offers a fantastic introduction to the South West Coast Path, with far-reaching views over Sidmouth, High Peak, Ladrum Bay and more. The well-maintained gravel path means the route is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, so everyone can enjoy a bit of fresh coastal air. Sip from a flask of tea whilst admiring your surroundings from one of the clifftop benches.

Explore the cliffs above Sidmouth
The house exterior at Kingston Lacy

Woodland trail, Kingston Lacy, Dorset 

Follow this trail through quiet woodland and historic carriageways with gorgeous views of the house and parkland. Other highlights include great picnicking spots, native trees and the estate's herd of red ruby cattle.

Plan your walk
Roseland, Porth, Porth Creek

Accessible trail, Porth, Truro  

This circular trail, which is suitable for wheelchairs, takes you up gentle slopes with views of Porth Creek and Froe. It also borders farmland, meadows and weaves through woodland.

Take to the trail
Bembridge Fort entrance, open for guided tours during the summer months
Walking trail

Bembridge, Isle of Wight 

Although peaceful today, Bembridge and Culver Downs were once a scene of much military activity. This fairly flat walk ambles along the top of the downs, giving fascinating insights into the Isle of Wight’s role in wartime defence and intelligence. The walk is suitable for most wheelchairs and offers spectacular views over Sandown Bay, Whitecliff Bay and Brading Haven.

Discover the Isle of Wight's military past
The multi-use trail at Ickworth is great for cycling

Ickworth river walk and cycle route 

Follow this trail past Ickworth Lodge and along the River Linnet until you reach a beautiful walled garden. You'll also discover a restored church with a 13th-century altar and a twisted old old oak tree, which was a popular spot for tea parties. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, especially buzzards, kingfishers and deer.

Get ready for your walk
early morning view of Tarn Hows looking north west

Circular walk at Tarn Hows, Cumbria 

Admire views of lakes and mountains on this easy circular walk that can be enjoyed by all the family. If you're lucky you might spot some fluffy Belted Galloway cows grazing the landscape.

Plan your adventure

Spotting wildlife

There’s lots of wildlife to spot on multi-use trails at the parkland and countryside in our care.

Bethan Edmunds, area ranger at the Blickling Estate in Norfolk, tells us she has seen barn owls hunting in the long grass and kestrels nesting in ancient trees.

Lakes are also great places to spot different dragonfly species. But head to the woods if you want to see butterflies and wild flowers.

Different animals come out at different times of day. At dawn and dusk you're most likely to see deer, owls and bats. 

Approach wildlife as quietly as you can and use binoculars if possible. Spotter guides can also help you identify what you see. 

Our work with Cotswold Outdoor

As our exclusive walking partner, Cotswold Outdoor supports our work to look after special outdoor places for everyone to enjoy. Cotswold Outdoor gives us funding to help care for walking trails so more people can access the countryside. A proportion of the discount they offer our members and supporters also goes back into vital conservation work.

We need your support

Footpaths allow us to access the landscapes we love but looking after them is tough and costly work. Remote locations, rough terrain and poor weather conditions often mean that it can take a full day to repair about two metres of stone-pitched footpath in an upland area. And at a cost of up to £180 per metre, it's expensive too. 

  • £4 could repair and maintain one metre of a coastal path
  • £25 could buy a tonne of stone needed to surface paths and prevent erosion from rainfall
  • £50 could pay for two minutes of helicopter flying time to move bags of stones to the paths that need fixing

Your support is more important than ever as we come to terms with the impact of the coronavirus. Thank you.

The picture shows a lady in a wheelchair looking at a map of the Giant's Causeway trails

We need your support  

With your help, we can continue carrying out vital work to maintain footpaths and open up the countryside for people with different mobility needs. Your support means more now than ever as we come to terms with the impact of the coronavirus.

Donate now to care for walking trails