Accessible Travel : Easy walks in the Lake District

5 of the best accessible easy walks in the Lake District

The Lake District is one of the walking capitals of the UK, with something to offer everyone from challenging fells to gentle lakeside trails. Since I have mobility problems I would have avoided visiting the lake district thinking it would be too much for my poor little leggies but in fact there are some accessible walks in the lake district making it a good place for all levels of mobility to visit. 

Also if you really can not get out too much some of the lake district is accessible by car when I visited I spent a lot of time driving around the lake district and still got to see some beautiful sights.

Wheelchair Accessible Walks Lake District

Although National Parks often bring to mind bumpy and uneven paths not suitable for wheels, the Lake District has a choice of 42 accessible ‘Miles without Stiles’ routes which are suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the breath-taking scenery the area has to offer.

Walks that are suitable for Mobility Scooters

Many of these routes are suitable for all, while some are a little more uneven and are only recommended for strong and confident wheelchair users. The routes that have been chosen are classed as suitable for all, and are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a Lake District holiday.

Derwentwater Lakeshore (8km)

A route that offers plenty of varied scenery, from the tranquil shores of Derwentwater to woodlands and the peaks of Catbells and High Spy in the distance. This route begins at the Hawse End access road, which can be reached by bus and by the Keswick Launch boat which calls at the jetty eight times a day. A two-metre-wide path of smooth, compacted stone, with wide gates throughout, allows you to easily navigate this route and soak up the magnificent lake and mountain views, which finishes at the Borrowdale Road.

Dalegarth to St Catherine’s Church, Eskdale (2.4km)

Setting off from Dalegarth Station, this route takes in peaceful countryside and is found within a gorgeous woodland and riverside setting. After following Parson’s Passage, you’ll soon reach the 12th century St Catherine’s Church, found by the banks of the River Esk, a great place to rest and soak up the relaxing scenery.

Nearby you can also explore a small section of walled track called The Tramway, 400 metres of a former railway track from the mining era. The route back takes you past Esk View Farm and the Brookhouse Inn before returning to the station.

Bowness to Cockshott Point (2km)

This circular route takes in the popular lakeside town of Bowness, as well as the quieter spot of Cockshott Point, where there are great views to be had of Lake Windermere. Beginning at one of the car parks on Glebe Road, a surfaced path continues to take you near Cockshott Point through an open meadow.

Stop at one of the viewpoints here to look across to Belle Isle and watch the boats go by on the water. Continue south through a kissing gate towards Ferry Nab, before travelling back north along smooth paths and back into Bowness, the perfect place to stop for refreshments.

Loweswater (4km)

One of the smaller and quieter lakes in the Lake District, there is a lovely level walk to be had along the southern edge of Loweswater, starting at Maggie’s Bridge. It first of all skirts past Watergate Farm and into Holme Wood before taking you to the shore of the lake.

The lakeside views are spectacular and look across to the rocky and craggy peaks of Fellbarrow – cross a small stream to reach a lakeside bothy, the perfect place to stop and soak up these views. The route continues for a short while past the lakeshore and Holme Wood before you reach the turning point and return to Maggie’s Bridge.

Monk Coniston (3.5km)

Starting at Monk Coniston at the northern end of Coniston Water, this route offers good views down the length of the lake, and can also lead you to the Coniston Boating Centre, where you can hop on a gondola and take in the spectacular sights from the water.

A mixture of compacted stone and tarmac paths lead you over Yewdale Beck and into Coniston village, where there are a number of notable attractions to explore and the dramatic views behind to the fell of the Old Man of Coniston.

*Information and images provided by Travel Chapter