Scotland’s “most accessible” walks have been named.
It is no secret that here in Scotland we are blessed with a huge variety of beautiful and idyllic hiking trails. However, many of these are not suitable for people with mobility issues, including those using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or walking aids.
Working with the leading disability charity Sense, Millets has revealed a list of the UK’s top accessible walks. The experts looked at factors such as terrain, gradient, and available resources to reveal the most accessible walks.
Topping the list for both Scotland and the UK is the Lochore Meadows Circular in Fife. According to the experts, this picturesque route earned an overall ‘accessibility score’ of 9.13 out of 10.
Located near the town of Lochgelly, the 5.5-kilometre trail offers a smooth tarmac path and numerous accessible parking spaces. The trail is also highly rated by members of the public, with one reviewer describing it as a “hard surface all the way, wide path and suitable for wheelchairs”.
Following in second place is the Silverknowes Esplanade route in Lothian, with an overall accessibility score of 9.06 out of 10. This 6.3-kilometre trail is home to historic sites to forests, and spectacular views of the Forth bridges.
The Silverknowes Esplanade was noted for its relatively flat nature and paved paths. It also has a low elevation gain, making the ‘easy’ graded trail a top option for wheelchair users looking for an adventure.
Elsewhere, the Strathclyde Loch Circular follows behind with an overall accessibility score of 8.56. Located at the heart of Central Scotland, the picturesque six-kilometre route guides you around the Strathclyde Country Park on a smooth tarmac path.
According to the experts, if the incline is something you struggle with, this trail is a great choice as it has an elevation gain of just over 50 metres. Additionally, the route has a wide range of benches, giving you plenty of opportunity to rest if needed.
Other Scottish walks to be named among the most accessible in the UK are the River Dee Walk in Banchory and the Donmouth Local Nature Reserve to Aberdeen Beach trail. The former received an overall accessibility score of 8.50, while the latter was given a score of 8.31.
Head of Sport and Physical Activity at Sense Alissa Ayling commented: “Making outdoor areas accessible ensures that everyone has equal opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Improving access to nature and outdoor activities for disabled people can increase physical activity levels, reduce stress, improve self-esteem and provide opportunities for social connectedness.
“When planning an accessible outdoor activity, it’s important to think about the physical and sensory needs of everyone in your group, and how that relates to pathways, wayfinding systems, and amenities such as changing places and toilets.
“If you’re going on a walk, we recommend checking first that paths are safe and wide enough for wheelchairs, and thinking about how people will get to the start point and home again. Sense has created a guide on how to make walks more accessible which can be found here: How to lead an accessible sensory walk.“
See below for the full list of the most accessible trails in the UK according to Millets and Sense.
The “most accessible” trails in the UK
- Lochore Meadows Circular, Fife
- Silverknowes Esplanade, Edinburgh
- Damflask Reservoir Circular, Sheffield
- Strathclyde Loch Circular, Motherwell
- River Dee Walk: Banchory to Milton of Crathes, Banchory
- Donmouth Local Nature Reserve to Aberdeen Beach, Aberdeen
- Cambridge City Circular, Cambridge
- Tall Trees Trail Circular, Brockenhurst
- Llyn llech Owain, Gorslas
- Dovestone Reservoir Circular, Dobcross