We’ve been busy out and about on the trails, and we’ve uploaded three new trails this week all at Blairadam Forest near Kelty. Each walk has full accessibility information – they are all suitable for walking or biking.
Featured Routes
Heddon Valley Tramper Trail 2
Where: Devon
Accessibility Rating: 2
Type: Out and Back
This trail begins by the National Trust Rangers office in Heddon Valley. The path was built by the Victorians and is a well graded wide track that winds along the cliff tops giving superb views of the North Devon Coastline and Bristol Channel. Trampers can be hired from the National Trust offices
More...Dunster Conygar Wood Circuit
Where: Somerset
Accessibility Rating: 5
Type: Circular
Conygar Wood circuit explores an area of woodland above Dunster and visits two follies built by the Luttrell family in the 18th Century.
More...Lerwick Coastal Path
Where: Shetland Islands
Accessibility Rating: 4
Type: Out and Back
This is a 3.3km coastal walk on a mix of flagstone and tarmac paths from Victoria Pier in Lerwick via The Knab to Seafield. There are several steep sections of path at around 12% and one of up to 20% for up to 200m. The path is restricted to 800mm in one location at the Knab, but is generally no less than 1200mm with numerous benches along the way. On the walk you can enjoy coastal views and wildlife with views across to Bressay. There are sites of historical significance with interpretation panels at The Knab
More...The Roman Ford Picnic Site, Flatts Woods.
Where: Durham
Accessibility Rating: 3
Type: Out and Back
Linked to two other photo-trails in Flatts Wood, this route offers a tranquil riverside trail alongside the picturesque River Tees, past “The Silver Bridge” (Tees Aqueduct built in 1893) and the Weir to a picnic area on the site of a former Roman Ford below the Castle. The picnic site was created in 2000 to celebrate the town’s link to the river and also commemorate an ancient Roman Ford discovered there. The 3 stone seats signify the “Tees Roll” - the action of the river being “The Dive”, “The Surface” and “The Roll”. The route is 500m from the car-park to the picnic site. Parking is available by “The Silver Bridge” but bays are not marked and the surface can be uneven with compacted gravel and soil in parts. In a number of locations, the gradient exceeds 5% (1 in 20), with the steepest being 16% (1 in 6) on the approach to the viewing point over-looking the Weir. Paths are generally non-smooth tarmac and with block-paving at the picnic site and widths range from approximately 1.5m–2.0m. A seat is provided at the Weir and 3 are available at the picnic site.
More...The Hagg, Cotherstone
Where: Durham
Accessibility Rating: 3
Type: Out and Back
The Hagg is a green open space adjacent to the banks of both the Rivers Balder and Tees and is perfect for quiet, open-air recreation. This trail takes the disabled visitor just a short distance from the car-park down to the waterside to a lovely tranquil spot with two benches Access to The Hagg is from Cotherstone village centre, via an access road opposite “The Fox and Hounds” public house. This steep road will take you down to the parking area and start of the trail, which is by “Hagg House”. This parking area is unmarked and can accommodate approximately 4 vehicles. The trail is approximately 200m long and is predominately tarmac but the last few metres is grassed and uneven. The gradient is 5% (1 in 20) or less, in-creasing to 8% (1 in 12) close to the water’s edge. At the riverside, there are two seats offering a quiet relaxing area to watch the river. The grassed area is open to seasonal variations.
More...Cloud Wood Nature Reserve
Where: Leicestershire
Accessibility Rating: 3
Type: Circular
Cloud Wood is 33 hectares in size. It is owned by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Cloud Wood is an ancient woodland and is one of the best sites in Leicestershire for flowering plants. Most of the rides are level although uneven in places and in the summer, the rides are heavily vegetated in places. During the Second World War, Cloud Wood was clear-felled and allowed to regenerate naturally, escaping the planting of conifers. In 1993 the site was given to the Trust by Ennstone Breedon plc. A coppice cycle was re-introduced in part of the wood, in order to benefit those animals and plants which prosper under this type of management. Other areas will be allowed to develop naturally into high forest. Rides and glades are often important habitats for wildlife in woodland, providing open areas and edge habitats. More than 220 species of ferns and flowering plants have been recorded. During the summer, the rides are carpeted with marjorum and wild basil which produce a lovely aroma when walking through it. Birds such as dunnock, chiff chaff, robin and buzzard can be heard singing and calling. Butterflies include speckled wood, peacocks, orange tips, silver washed fritillary and white-letter hairstreak. See http://www.lrwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/cloud-wood/ for more information about the nature reserve. Please note that in the summer, some of the rides are heavily vegetated.
More...Wild Walk St Maurice's Pond
Where: North Lanarkshire
Accessibility Rating: 2
Type: Circular
Circular walk around St Maurice's Pond. The pond is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation with areas of reedbed, open water, mixed woodland, parkland, wildflower meadows, orchid meadows and orchard. Cumbernauld Living Landscape has a Wild Walk around the site encouraging the public to record wildlife in the area. great site for waterbirds, wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies. Path is comprised mainly of loose gravel and is approx 1.8 metres wide for much of it's length, though it does narrow slightly in places. There is one steep uphill section on the anti-clockwise section, however taking the path clockwise eliminates this as the slope in that direction is almost imperceptible (though you still have to come down it!). there is a boardwalk section over the pond.
More...Black Devon Wetlands
Where: Clackmannanshire
Accessibility Rating: 2
Type: Access to Bird Hide
This short loop takes in the new paths and boardwalks at RSPB Black Devon, as well as a route to the new viewing structure. The majority of the path is packed gravel, with two boardwalks, making it easy and accessible to walk. There are multiple gates throughout the route.
More...