Information
Wheeled Access Group. Dartmoor WAGs
We now have a website for our Wheeled Access Group ( Dartmoor WAGs ).This is the link to the website. https://www.dartmoorwags.org There is a email
Hopalong
2nd January 2024
about
ABOUT US
Hi, I am Paul and my wife is Gill, due to long term health problems we both have difficulty walking any distance. In February 2018 we bought two all terrain Mobility Scooters. We both enjoy being out in the countryside, but in the 5 years prior to getting the scooters we were gradually doing less and less walking.
Through our friends Kate and Stewart (Kate has had a Tramper for 20 years) we have got involved with a small group of friends from Devon and Cornwall. We are just an informal group under the name of Wheeled Access Group (WAGs), who in 2018 started working with Dartmoor Moorland Guides. The aim was to find and reconnoitre a series of walks for the Dartmoor Walking Festival, we came up with 8 walks of varying difficulty for 2018. With a further 8 walks for this years festival, which was held at the end of August.
rolling ramblers
We have already done a couple of reconnoiter’s of possible walks for
next years DWF, We usually try to meet twice a month through the winter
and spring, as some of the more challenging routes need to be tried at
least twice to make sure they are safe to be included in the festival.
In the near future I will be trying to organise rambles in different
parts of the county on a monthly basis, providing there is enough
interest. The first one was held on 29th January 2020 on the Exe Estuary
Trail in the Exminster area. The rambles will be held on the 3rd Friday of the month. Feel free to contact me through this website
email address : paul@wheelchairoffroad.org.
For full details of the Accessible walks in the annual Dartmoor Walking
Festival contact the following email address
: accessiblewalks@outlook.com for details of the Dartmoor Walking
Festival. We are also looking for abled bodied walkers who can give the
buggies a helping hand on challenging terrain on the
Dartmoor reconnoitre’s.
I will be updating the site at least once a week, dependant mainly on weather conditions and health issues. We have just recently upgraded to lithium batteries,so next year with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours we hope to be able to do some longer trips. The only downside to the Lithium batteries is the fact that as they are much lighter in weight, my 3 wheeler will be more prone to tipping over. I have been known to do this in the past, much to the amusement of the other group members.
EVENTS & INFORMATION
Information
Dartmoor Miles without Stiles
Here is the link to Dartmoor National Park website, Miles without Stiles. https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor The list is still work in progress, as more routes will be
Hopalong
1st June 2023
Information
Latest Level One Ramble
The level one ramble due on Friday 20th October 2023, has been canceled due to mechanical problems with my Tramper.
Hopalong
10th March 2022
Information
Dartmoor Walking Festival 2024
DARTMOOR WALKING FESTIVAL ACCESSIBLE WALKS 2024 Details of the 2024 Dartmoor Walking Festival will be updated In January 2024. The Wags are organising 4 walks
Hopalong
15th February 2022
Information
Favourite Pubs reached on our Trampers
We have 4 Pubs that we go to on our Trampers from home. The first one the Puffing Billy at Exton, this is the longest
Hopalong
20th July 2021
Information
Southwest Coast Path Association
On October 26th 2020 5 WAGs members met at Berry Head, with representatives of Southwest Coast Path Association and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. The
Hopalong
6th November 2020
Information
Organised Rambles in Devon
I have started doing organised walks on the third Friday of the month. These rambles will primarily be easy Level one routes, suitable for all
Hopalong
5th March 2020
Information
Disabled Ramblers
The Disabled Ramblers is a national organisation and can be contacted at www.disabledramblers.co.uk Rambles are organised by local groups and full details are on their
Hopalong
27th February 2020
Information
Countryside Mobility Scheme
The Countryside Mobility Scheme offers those with mobility issues the opportunity to hire a Tramper all terrain mobility scooter at various sites throughout the Southwest.
Hopalong
26th February 2020
Information
Cornwall Rolling Ramblers
Gill and I are members of the Cornwall Rolling Ramblers, we try to go down at least once a month. But due to weather we
Hopalong
25th February 2020
LATEST RAMBLES
WAGS
Tamar Trails 12/12/23
This week the WAG’s walk was held in the Tamar Vally, exploring the Tamar Trails and the Devon Great Consols Gulworthy. The mines started as
Hopalong
13th December 2023
WAGS
Avon Dam and Foggintor Quarry
On Friday 19th May we did our monthly level one walk, Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam. I was hoping the Rhododendrons would be in flower,
Hopalong
26th May 2023
Day Out with Gill
Scotland May 2023
We went to Scotland to visit our Nephew and his wife, near Ballater Aberdeenshire. The weather was kind to us, we had one damp day
Hopalong
22nd May 2023
Uncategorised
Revelstoke Carriage Drive
Some of the WAGs group met for a ramble, on a section of the Southwest Coast Path in the South Hams. We started from the
Hopalong
5th December 2022
Solo trip
Battery Test
This was a solo trip to see how far I could go with the new Lithium batteries in the 4 wheeled Tramper. My 3 Wheeler
Hopalong
11th October 2022
Organised Ramble
Disabled Ramblers Day 3 and 4
The Wednesday was a rest day, in the morning we ventured out from the hotel on our buggies. In the morning we visited Tihidy Country
Hopalong
23rd September 2022
Organised Ramble
Disabled Ramblers Day 1 & 2
Gill and I spent a week in West Cornwall, doing 4 rambles with the Disabled Ramblers and Cornwall Rolling Ramblers. We had glorious weather all
Hopalong
27th July 2022
WAGS
A Few more Rambles
Wray Trail Reconnoitre from Bovey Tracey to Lustleigh (8/6/22) I wanted to check out a few details for the Level One ramble, I had arranged
Hopalong
18th June 2022
Day Out with Gill
Latest rambles
Swans Nest and Powderham Today we went to the Swans Nest for lunch, which we enjoyed. After lunch we carried on down to Powderham. Here
Hopalong
4th June 2022
WAGS
Recent Outings last week
Below is a selection of photographs from several outings over the last week. Level one ramble Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam This was my organised
Hopalong
29th May 2022
WAGS
Vixen Tor, Pew Tor and Feather Tor
The plan today was to reconnoitre two possible short routes, for the Walking Festival. We met at Pork Hill car park, on the road between
Hopalong
12th May 2022
WAGS
Gutter Tor and Moorland Way
Todays WAGs reconnoitre was on part of Dartmoor I have never been. We met at a point south of Sheepstor, in the Southwest section of
Hopalong
8th May 2022
Organised Ramble
April Level One Ramble
Today we met at Stover Country Park, for the April level one ramble. It was a good turn out, with 9 mobility scooters and 8
Hopalong
4th May 2022
WAGS
Haytor & Hound Tor 12/4/22
Today we met at Haytor for a photo shoot, to promote the fact that the DNPA won an award for their work on access for
Hopalong
28th April 2022
WAGS
WAGs Public Walk
On Tuesday we organised a WAGs public walk, meeting at Clifford Bridge in the Teign Valley. We had 10 people on mobility scooters, accompanied by
Hopalong
30th March 2022
WAGS
Foggintor & Swelltor Quarries
On Tuesday we did a WAGs reconnoitre, for this years Dartmoor Walking Festival. From Princetown we set off along the old Railway line, to Foggingtor
Hopalong
23rd March 2022
WAGS
Harrowbeer Airfield 1941-1945
Last Tuesday (22/02/22) a few of us reconnoitred a possible Level One route, on Harrowbeer Airfield for this years Dartmoor Walking Festival. Although the airfield
Hopalong
28th February 2022
Organised Ramble
A few photos from recent rambles
This is a selection of photos from rambles I have done this year. Normal service will start now Gill is feeling a lot better. WAGs
Hopalong
26th February 2022
WAGS
Haytor Quarry Photoshoot 26/10/21
Today 5 WAGs group members on mobility scooters, accompanied by 3 walkers. Also 3 members of staff from Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), joined us
Hopalong
1st November 2021
Day Out with Gill
Saltram House 13/10/21
Today we met up with the Plymouth Polio Group, for lunch at Endsleigh Garden Centre at Ivybridge. As it was a lovely day so Gill
Hopalong
15th October 2021
WAGS
Yarner Woods 12/10/21
Today we did a Wags reconnoitre in Yarner Woods, for a possible Miles Without Stiles route for the DNPA. We were accompanied by Chris from
Hopalong
14th October 2021
WAGS
Meeth Quarries 5/10/21
Today the WAGs group had a meeting, to start planning for the 2022 Dartmoor Walking Festival. We had our meeting in the Hatherleigh Village Hall,
Hopalong
7th October 2021
WAGS
Filming for Dartmoor National Park
On Monday 4th October a small group of WAGs members, met at Princetown for a filming session on the Nunns Cross path. The Dartmoor National
Hopalong
6th October 2021
Day Out with Gill
Clearbrook / Drakes Trail
Today we met Norman at Clearbrook, on a rather wet Saturday morning. We headed south on the Drakes Trail to Plymbridge Woods, with the rain
Hopalong
19th September 2021
Solo trip
Grand Western Canal 6/9/21
Today Gill was with a friend, so I did a solo trip, on the canal to map out 2 more walks for the Accessible Walks
Hopalong
9th September 2021
WAGS
Days 7 & 8 of Dartmoor Walking Festival
The last 2 of the Festival walks, were both easy level 1’s, one on the Granite Way and the other on the Wray Trail. Day
Hopalong
8th September 2021
WAGS
Days 5 & 6 of Dartmoor Walking Festival
Day Five Today’s walk was from Fingle Bridge up to Wooston Hill Fort, we had 9 mobility scooters and 14 walkers. With so many fantastic
Hopalong
7th September 2021
WAGS
Days 3 & 4 of Dartmoor Walking Festival
Day Three For day 3 we met at Challacombe Farm, for a very informative history lesson. If you know what to look for, there is
Hopalong
1st September 2021
WAGS
Days 1 & 2 of Dartmoor Walking Festival
Day one Our first ramble of the 2021 walking festival was at Bellever. There were eight on mobility scooters, accompanied by six walkers, of which
Hopalong
30th August 2021
Day Out with Gill
Kennet & Avon Canal 22/23 Aug 21
Gill and I spent a couple of nights in Chippenham, to explore the Kennet & Avon Canal. On the Sunday we parked at Semington and
Hopalong
25th August 2021
Organised Ramble
Godrevy with CRR 11/8/21
We drove down to Godrevy to join fellow Cornwall Rolling Rambler members, to film a feature with the BBC. We had a dry journey down,
Hopalong
14th August 2021
WAGS
WAGs at Fingle Bridge 3/8/21
Today, Tuesday we met at Fingle Bridge, for a Dartmoor Walking Festival final reconnoitre.There were 7 of us on scooters, with 5 walkers to accompany
Hopalong
4th August 2021
Day Out with Gill
Malvern Hills & Wedding 27th/29th July
This week we stayed in Great Malvern for 3 nights, so that we could explore the Malvern Hills either side of the main event, being
Hopalong
31st July 2021
Solo trip
Granite Way Solo Trip 23/7/21
This afternoon (Friday) I went to the Granite Way, to map a further 3 routes for my Accessible Walks. All three start from the Pump
Hopalong
24th July 2021
Day Out with Gill
Stover Country Park 22/7/21
Today Thursday, Gill and I went to Stover Country Park, to map out walks for my Website’s Accessible Walks. We did 2 Level one routes,
Hopalong
23rd July 2021
Uncategorised
Nunns Cross and Merrivale 20/7/21
Today Tuesday, WAGs members met at Princetown, for the BBC to film a short news feature. Dartmoor National Park have started listing Accessible Walks, under
Hopalong
21st July 2021
Day Out with Gill
Puffing Billy from Home 18/7/21
Today we set off from home to the Puffing Billy at Exton, for our Sunday lunch. It was another glorious day, with a nice breeze
Hopalong
18th July 2021
Day Out with Gill
Camel Trail 14/7/21
On Wednesday Gill and I went down to Bodmin, to meet fellow WAGs ( Wheeled Access Group ) member Norman on his home turf. Norman
Hopalong
15th July 2021
Solo trip
Haldon Forest Accessible Walks 12/7/21
As there were changes to my plans for today, Monday, I decided to map out some short walks at Haldon Forest for my new Accessible
Hopalong
12th July 2021
Day Out with Gill
Saturday afternoon Road Trip 10/7/21
On Saturday as the weather improved in the afternoon, Gill and I decided to take a flask and do the trip up to Haldon Belvedere.
Hopalong
11th July 2021
WAGS
Southwest Coast Path / National Trust Reconnoitre 6/7/21
Today WAGs and Polio Group members, met at Exmouth Lifeboat Station, with representatives of the Southwest Coast Path Association, National Trust and East Devon District
Hopalong
8th July 2021
Day Out with Gill
Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam 30/6/21
Today we went to Shipley Bridge, so that I could map the walk for my new Accessible Walks page. We had done less than half
Hopalong
1st July 2021
Day Out with Gill
More Photos from the Lakes
This is a few more photos from two more days in the Lakes. The first group are from our day in the Grizedale Forest. The
Hopalong
24th June 2021
Day Out with Gill
Lake District 15/6/21 16/6/21
Below are a selection of photographs from our first couple of days in the Lakes. First day was a lovely sunny day while the next
Hopalong
23rd June 2021
WAGS
Bovey and Becka Valleys 8/6/21
Today there was a small group of WAG members, for the route from Pullabrook to Manaton, using the Byway starting near Yarner Woods. Three of
Hopalong
11th June 2021
Day Out with Gill
Geoneedle near Orcombe Point 5/6/21
Today, we decided to go to Exmouth for Fish & Chips, doing the journey on the buggies. From home it is 11.5 miles to the
Hopalong
6th June 2021
Day Out with Gill
Matford Marshes 30/5/21 St Lawrence Castle 31/5/21
On Sunday we met up with our friend from Cornwall, who is a fellow WAGs and CRR member. We had booked lunch at the Swans
Hopalong
2nd June 2021
Day Out with Gill
Waddlesdown Cross Picnic 27/5/21 DCC Exmouth 28/5/21
As it was a lovely sunny day Gill & I took a picnic lunch, exploring the lanes in the Whitstone area. We spent an hour
Hopalong
29th May 2021
Organised Ramble
CRR at Heddon Valley 25/5/21
A member of the Cornwall Rolling Ramblers asked if we would like to join them at Heddon Valley on Exmoor. As the weather forecast looked
Hopalong
26th May 2021
Organised Ramble
Exmouth & Lympstone 21/5/21
As this was a site assessment for Devon County Council, it went ahead despite the weather. Although we had the Gale force winds, the rain
Hopalong
24th May 2021
Solo trip
Solo Trip 17/5/21 & Afternoon with Gill 19/5/21
Today despite the threat of showers, I decided to explore some Devon lanes. I set off with a packed lunch in dry conditions, stopping at
Hopalong
20th May 2021
Organised Ramble
Darts Farm & Topsham 14/5/21
Today members of 3 different disability groups met representatives of Devon County Council, to look at any access issues on the Exe Estuary Trail in
Hopalong
15th May 2021
WAGS
Belstone WAGS Reconnoitre Take 2. Tuesday 11th May 2021
Today the WAG’s met at Belstone to try out a slightly different route, for this years Dartmoor Walking Festival. It was a small group today,
Hopalong
12th May 2021
Solo trip
Haldon and Starcross 7/5/21
Today Gill was having a girly day out with a friend, so I did a solo trip, on my buggy. Two thirds of the trip
Hopalong
8th May 2021
Day Out with Gill
Topsham RSPB Reserve Picnic 5/5/21
On Wednesday Gill and I took a picnic lunch to the Bowling Green Marsh RSPB reserve at Topsham. With the restrictions still in place, we
Hopalong
8th May 2021
WAGS
Belstone & Nine Maidens 27/4/21
With the Dartmoor Walking Festival only a few months away, we met at Rowtor Car Park. There were six of us on buggies, accompanied by four
Hopalong
1st May 2021
Day Out with Gill
Powderham & Starcross picnic lunch 24/4/21
Today we took a picnic lunch down to Powderham and Starcross. We had a very strong head wind on the way down, but the warmth
Hopalong
25th April 2021
Day Out with Gill
Exmouth Fish & Chips 21/4/21
We took advantage of Wednesdays good weather, and did a trip to Exmouth for Fish & Chips on the buggies. It was a 28 mile
Hopalong
25th April 2021
WAGS
Photos from Latest outings 11/4/21 & 13/4/21
On Sunday 11th April Gill and I did a circuit in the lanes north west of Redhills. From the top of Redhills we went along
Hopalong
16th April 2021
WAGS
Selection of photos from last few days of March 2021
The first trip was local to home before the easing of lockdown restrictions. We went along the Exeter Canal as far as the Motorway Bridge.
Hopalong
6th April 2021
Day Out with Gill
Exe Estuary Trail 26/02/21 & 27/2/21
With it being so wet in early February, followed by the week or so of bitterly cold winds. Gill and I have not ventured out
Hopalong
1st March 2021
Day Out with Gill
Lockdown on Local Patch19/1/21
Due to the Covid restrictions, Gill and I have tried to observe the rules. We tend to stick to the same six mile route, 3
Hopalong
19th January 2021
Day Out with Gill
Christmas Day 2020
Having been out on Christmas Eve for a very short run by the river and canal, we were so cold Gill and I canceled our
Hopalong
26th December 2020
WAGS
Revelstoke Carriage Drive 8/12/20
Today a Gill and I and a few of the WAGs group met in the South Hams, to reconnoitre a section of the South West
Hopalong
9th December 2020
WAGS
High Willhayes 21/7/20
Today I joined a few fellow WAGs members for an attempt at getting to Dartmoor’s two highest tors, High Willhayes and Yes Tor. There were
Hopalong
22nd July 2020