Level One – Wheelchairoffroad.org

Plym Estuary at Saltram House

Hopalong — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 13:47:05 +0000

This is an easy Level One walk, in the grounds of the National Trusts Saltram House.

Location : Plymouth

Starting Point : National Trust Saltram House

OS Grid Reference : SX520555

Distance : 2 Miles

Route Surface : Asphalt and Fine gravel / sand

Category : Level 1

A mobility scooter is available for hire at this site through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.

This is an easy Level 1 route suitable for most small scooters and Powerchairs. If you do the route clockwise on a small scooter, there is a short climb back to the car park. If you do it anti-clockwise, the climb is more gradual.

Bird Hide overlooking the Plym Estuary

The gravel path alongside the Plym Estuary, is part of the National network of cycle paths. This means it is usually maintained to a good standard.

View through the trees of the Plym Estuary

While my wife and I both have All terrain Trampers, but we have accompanied other users of small scooters on paths rougher than this.

Wray Trail

Hopalong — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 11:11:18 +0000

This ramble was the last of the eight accessible walks, of the Dartmoor Walking Festival 2021.

Location : Bovey Tracey

Starting Point : Car Park by the river

OS Grid Reference : SX781813

Distance : 3.3 Miles

Route Surface : Asphalt, Gravel.

Category : Level 1

This walk is a level walk apart from a steep slope down to the river, which was just an add on for our lunch stop.

In the park alongside the River Bovey

The path through the park is Asphalt, while the rest of the route through the Parke NT estate is gravel. The path that takes you off the Railway Line, to the NT cafe has a short stoney section. This section upgrades the walk to a level 3, so users of power chairs and small scooters need to stay on the main path.

Some of the group on the way back along the Wray Trail

I had a problem with the GPS which I didn’t spot, until we were on the old railway line. The distance of 3.3 miles is correct distance for the whole route.

Drakes Trail from Clearbrook

Hopalong — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:06:47 +0000

This is a Level One route which could be split into 2 shorter rambles, one of 3 miles and one of 4.8 miles.

Location : Clearbrook

Starting Point : Car Park on the right before the village

OS Grid Reference : SX518651

Distance : 7.8 miles

Route Surface : Mainly Asphalt, with a fine gravel section

Category : Level 1

From the car park head down the hill into Clearbrook, to join the cycle path towards Plymbridge Woods. Go through Leighbeer Tunnel, lookout for the old mine workings on the left in the tunnel. Turn around and head back towards the car park, turning right onto the Tramway towards Yelverton.

Some of the group on the Tramway heading for Harrowbeer RAF Station at Yelverton

On the outskirts of Yelverton, Drakes Leat is on one side of the path. While the Devonport Leat is on the other side of the path.

Making our way back to Clearbrook car park on the Tramway

As this route was part of the Dartmoor Walking Festival, we had a guide giving us a lot of historical information. RAF Station Harrowbeer at Yelverton, was our final destination of the day. For users with restricted range, you could treat this as 2 separate rambles.

Fingle Bridge to Clifford Bridge

Hopalong — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 21:01:26 +0000

This is a nice walk alongside the River Teign south of Fingle Bridge.

Location : Near Drewsteignton

Starting Point : Fingle Bridge Inn

OS Grid Reference : SX742899

Distance : 5 Miles

Route Surface : Coarse Gravel / Small Stone

Category : Level 1

There are a couple of slight inclines, otherwise a reasonably level route following the River Teign. With the small stone surface there is nothing to stop the very small scooters, but will make it a bumpy ride in places.

More information about the Woodland Trust’s forestry plans

River Teign east of Fingle Bridge

If you are lucky you might spot a Dipper, or a Grey Wagtail on the rocks in the river.

Stover Lake & Cycle Path

Hopalong — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 10:49:02 +0000

This route adds about half a mile, onto the Stover Lake Circuit by using part of the cycle route.

Location : Stover County Park

Starting Point : Outside the Rangers Office

OS Grid Reference : SX832750

Distance : 1.3 miles

Route Surface : Fine Gravel and Asphalt, with a short section of slightly rougher track

Category : Level One

A mobility scooter is available for hire at this site through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.

There is a disabled toilet, but access with larger mobility scooters is difficult, if not impossible.

Over half of this route is alongside Stover Lake, if travelling in a Clock wise direction take a left after the first bridge. This is the Asphalt section, which follows the line of pylons. Turn Right where a stone track crosses the cycle path, which takes you back to the Lake.

Bird feeder at the end of the arial walkway

The Arial Walkway is always popular with visitors, but it does not stop the birds from feeding.

Me on the cycle path that goes between Bovey Tracey and Teigngrace

As this section is managed for the pylons, it is popular for butterflies. Even though the short stone track is a bit bumpier, most scooters and wheelchairs can cope.

Stover Lake Circuit

Hopalong — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 09:48:37 +0000

This is a short easy route around Stover Lake.

Location : Stover Country Park

Starting Point : Outside Rangers Office

OS Grid Reference : SX832750

Distance : 0.9 miles

Route Surface : Fine Gravel

Category : Level 1

A mobility scooter is available for hire at this site through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.

There is a disabled toilet, but access with larger mobility scooters is difficult, if not impossible.

This is a lovely short walk with a gravel surface and easy access to the arial walkway. At the end of the arial walkway there is a bird feeder, with activity throughout the year. The squirrels are always there, feeding on the seeds/peanuts that drop to the forest floor.

View of Stover Lake

Looking for pond life on a small pond adjacent to Stover Lake

The the short sections of board walk, are easy to traverse.

Pump & Pedal to Meldon Dam

Hopalong — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 16:00:10 +0000

This is a Level One/Two due to a short steep path, from the cycle path to road. Also there is a slight incline in both directions, on the road to the Dam, which has several pot holes as well.

Location : Sourton

Starting Point : Pump and Pedal

OS Grid Reference : SX547917

Distance : 3.3 Miles

Route Surface : Asphalt, but pot holed in places on the road to the Dam

Category : Level One / Two

There is a very good easy access Disabled Toilet at the Pump & Pedal

This Ramble boarders on being a Level 2, because of the steep link path ( about 10 yards ) between the cycle path and the road. Along with the access road has some very bad Potholes. It is worth the effort, as there are some lovely views.

Meldon Dam is Accessible for all types of Mobility Scooter or Wheelchairs

Meldon Reservoir

Both the Viaduct and the Dam, are accessible from Okehampton Station via the cycle path.

Pump & Pedal to Meldon Viaduct

Hopalong — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 13:35:09 +0000

This is a short Level one there and back route suitable for all types of Scooter or power chair.

Location : Sourton

Starting Point : Pump & Pedal

OS Grid Reference : SX547917

Distance : 3.1 miles

Route Surface : Asphalt

Category : Level 1

There is a very good easy access Disabled Toilet at the Pump & Pedal

This ramble is worth doing, just for the views from the viaduct. Its an easy Level One ramble on Asphalt, with a bit of information about the Railway Line.

Information about the Meldon Signal Box

Approach to Meldon Viaduct

Plenty of parking on the road approaching the Pump and Pedal

There is limited parking outside the cafe, but usually plenty of space to park on the road.

Haldon Forest Discovery Trail

Hopalong — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 21:48:33 +0000

This is an easy route with the best surface of all the walks in the Haldon Forest.

Location : Haldon Forest

Starting Point : Haldon Forest Park

OS Grid Reference : SX881849

Distance : 1.7 Miles

Route Surface : Coarse Sand

Category : Level 1

A mobility scooter is available for hire at this site through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.

Setting off from the main car park at Haldon Forest Park, this is a relatively level route, with gentle undulations.

There is a disabled toilet, which is accessible by all types of scooter or chair

One of the structures aimed at entertaining young children

View of Exeter and the Mid Devon countryside

Although it is a short walk it offers excellent views to the east, north and west at various points on the route

Under cover viewing point looking west towards Dartmoor

The above photo shows the good quality of compacted coarse sand path of the route.

Mamhead Obelisk Short Loop

Hopalong — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 15:56:35 +0000

This is a short Forest track route suitable for most Mobility Scooters and Power Chairs.

Location : Haldon Forest

Starting Point : Obelisk car park

OS Grid Reference : SX921808

Distance : 1 mile

Route Surface : Gravel for mot of the route or coarse sand

Category : Level 1

No facilities

This route is a nice short circular walk with views of the obelisk, but the best bit is the view of Exmouth and the Exe Estuary. There are two options, short loop and long loop, but the long loop only adds a quarter of a mile so both are not very far, the long loop is listed separately.

Clear signage showing the short and long loops.

The route is well sign posted, as are all the official walking routes on the hills.

One of the good quality tracks on the Obelisk walk

The first section of the walk to the viewpoint, can be messy after heavy rain, but not enough to affect the scooter/wheelchair.