Validated by Fieldfare

This is a pleasant walk around Barden Lake in Haysden country Park. The trail is about a mile long with plenty of seats near the path. The longest distance between seats is about 230m. There is only one short slope along the path with a gradient of 10% (1:10) for about 15m.The surface is firm and even except in a couple of spots where there are some loose stones.

Surveyed by: . Fieldfare, July 2010 (Summer)
Accessibility Rating: 2
Distance: 1.6 km

The walk starts from the car park for Haysden Country Park. There are three disabled parking bays in the main car park. Turn up the path next to the toilet block.

There are some addition car parking spaces for disabled people right very close to the lake that can be reached by using a National Key Scheme (RADAR) key to open the barrier next to the toilet block. If you don't have a key the gap next to the barrier is about 1m wide.

The trail is wide enough for two people to walk side by side throughout. There are information and direction signs along the way.

Turn left and follow the sign to Barden Lake.

Go ahead under the railway bridge.

Approaching the lake there is an area of car parking for disabled people with seats close by. Turn right to follow the trail in an anticlockwise direction.

There are two tracks for part of the way around the lake. The trail follows the path on the left, nearer the lake. The other track is a cycleway with a good surface but it is not quite as even as the trail path.

There are lots of seats around the lake.

Many of the seats are close to the trail path.

In a few places the trail surface is a little uneven with some loose stones.

Another seat close to thepath.

Some seats can be reached by crossing the grass.

There are numerous fishing platforms around the lake. These two have a gentle leading down to them but it is a little narrow (less than 800mm wide) with some loose stones on the surface.

Another seat close to the path.

Another seat close to the path.

Another seat close to the path.

There are loose stones and an uneven surface for about 30m.

There is a short slope with a gradient of about 10% (1:10) for 15m or so. The surface is also a little uneven at this point.

There are several seats at the end of the lake which is the furthest point from the start.

There are some loose stones near another seat close to the path.

A bench overlooks the lake

Keep on the path next to the lake to complete the trail and return to the car park.

There is another seat close to the path at the end of one of the fishing paltforms which has steps onto it.

Another seat close to the path.

Some fishing platforms have steps onto them.

By this fishing platform the path has a cross slope towards the lake so that the level part of the path to the right is only about 800mm wide.

There is a 50m stretch of path that has a cross slope of more than 8% (1:12) A 'grasshopper' seat provides another resting point.

A bench close to the path has great views across the lake.

Another seat close to the path.

Another seat close to the path.

Another seat close to the path.

Another seat close to the path.

There are two fishing platforms without steps at this point.

Keep left to complete the round the lake trail.

There is a shady picnic area near the disabled parking area.

Some seats and picnic tables are in the open near the lake and close to the disabled parking area..

When you can see the railway bridge again you have completed the circuit around the lake. Go under the bridge and turn right to return to the m ain car park.

Fine views of the lake and its wildlife are available right round this popular walk.

The car park is 'Pay-and-Display'.

There are information panels near the start of the trail.

There are information panels near the start of the trail.

This is the sign near the disabled parking area near the lake.

There are good views of the lake from the disabled parking area reached by unlocking the barrier by the tolet block.

There are good views of the lake from the disabled parking area reached by unlocking the barrier by the tolet block.

Local disabled people have acknowledged the accessibility of the country park.

There is an accessible toilet that can be used with a National Key Scheme (RADAR) Key. The ladies and gentlemen's toilets are not locked when the aprk is open.

There is a play are close to the main car park.