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Accessible Walks - suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs

Access for allWalking children photo by Tony West courtesy of the Cumbria Photo Library

Access for all walks are suitable for people with limited mobility, wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and the visually impaired, who will be able to visit and enjoy these areas of Eden:

  • Stenkrith Park, Kirkby Stephen (2.2miles/3.5km) which includes the Viaducts Walk and the Poetry Path - telling the story of a year in the life of a hill farmer carved in stones along the way.  Suitable for buggies, wheelchairs and dogs on leads (NY772075).

Penrith Access for All Walk

An Access for all Walk leaflet has been produced by the Rotary Club of Penrith. The route has been chosen to make the walk accessible to all, including those with disabilities.  It takes about 1½ hours to complete the full tour, but there is ample scope to tailor the route to suite individual preferences.

Ullswater

The Lake District National Park have created a series of walks around The Lake District - Miles without Stiles - suitable for people with limited mobility.  This includes a route starting from Pooley Bridge and one around Brotherswater.


South Tyne Trail, Alston

On The South Tyne Trail at Alston there's a ¼ mile section of well-surfaced path leading from the South Tynedale Railway Station. It is easily accessible from the car park and riverside picnic site. The footpath continues down the South Tyne Valley adjacent to the narrow gauge railway. The South Tyne Trail leaflet is available from Alston Tourist Information Centre.


Smardale Gill Nature Reserve walk, near Kirkby Stephen (Cumbria Wildlife Trust)

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve, near Kirkby Stephen occupies a 6km/3.5 mile section of the disused railway line which once ran from Tebay to Darlington.  The northern end of the nature reserve includes the steep wooded slopes of the gill carved by Scandal Beck, whilst south of Smardale Gill Poetry Path photo by Dave Willis courtesy of the Cumbria Photo LibraryViaduct the character of the nature reserve changes and you find yourself in open rolling countryside typical of the area.

Suitable for Buggies, wheelchairs and dogs on leads.  (NY740082).

** Notification of viaduct closure ** We have been advised by the Northern Viaduct Trust, who own and maintain Smardale Gill viaduct, that from Sunday 28 July 2019 the viaduct will be closed until further notice due to an on-going programme of maintenance including updating the railings.  The nature reserve remains open for you to visit.

The iconic grade II listed Smardale Gill Viaduct is undergoing its regular programme of maintenance checks and repairs.  The programme will start with the updating of the railings on the top of the viaduct and will include repairs and renewal to the viaduct footpath surface and repairs to the stonework.  The permissive footpath across the top of the viaduct will be closed until further notice.  The closure does not affect the various walks in the area and in the Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve which will remain open so that walkers can enjoy the views of the magnificent Victorian viaduct from the ground.

The Skelton to Unthank Footpath

The Skelton to Unthank footpath is 1 mile long with a 1.5 mile post at the end of the all terrain path before the large field. The path to Unthank continues straight across the field.  Aim for the large tree and the field gate on the other side.

Skelton village can be accessed of the B5305 from Junction 41 off the M6. Parking is available at the Village Hall car park on the right as you enter the village. For access to the path, follow the sign to the Church. Access to the path at Unthank is best done from the Upfront Gallery where parking is available and a short walk takes you to the sign post at Nelson Square.