LYNN Leadbeatter, volunteer with the Gargrave based charity, Friends of the Dales, looks at what options are available for disabled people who want to explore the national park, including Miles without Stiles, a directory of 20 accessible routes.

MANY of us love the Dales for their stunning vistas of sweeping moorland, limestone crags and high, windswept fellsides - but the distinctive scenery of the national park can also appear to be an insuperable obstacle for someone with a disability.

It might seem an uphill task to find a footpath with a gradient of less than one in ten but, in fact, there is a range of options available for those who lack full mobility.

Miles Without Stiles is a directory of 20 walks in the national park that are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

Maps for the routes, ranging from a 700m section of the Dales Way near Burnsall to a seven-mile circuit of Ivelet Moor, can be downloaded from :www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/plan-your-visit/

essential-information/access-for-all/mileswithout-stiles/

Details of facilities indicate whether toilets have RADAR keys or car parks have blue badge bays. Route cards are also available at national park visitor centres.

Open Country is a charity that has been helping people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors for more than 30 years.

It has compiled a directory of accessible activities in North Yorkshire with details of walks from Dales destinations such as Buckden, Grimwith Reservoir, near Grassington, and Leyburn Shawl.

There is also information about sporting and recreational facilities catering for disabled people like the trekking and riding centre at Conistone in Wharfedale. Anglers can make use of the two wheelchair-accessible Haylands fishing platforms on the River Ure at Hawes and another at Kilnsey Park.

Suitable venues for outings include Hesketh Farm Park near Bolton Abbey and the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes, which welcomes assistance dogs and has plenty of items to touch and sound recordings for those with a sensory impairment.

On the Bolton Abbey Estate electric wheelchairs are available to hire twice daily from 10am and 1pm between April and the end of October and a guide to suitable pathways is available at www.boltonabbey.com/your-visit/accessibility.

Specially designed four-wheel drive, all-terrain electric buggies called Trampers even make it possible to explore off-road at the National Trust’s Malham Tarn Estate and the nature trail from Clapham to Ingleborough Cave.

Whether you want to cycle in Greenfield Forest near Beckermonds or learn to paraglide with Settle-based Active Edge, there are many opportunities for disabled people to enjoy the Dales – and easily accessible information to help you plan your next adventure.

Download Open Country’s North Yorkshire Countryside Directory for People with

Disabilities at www.opencountry.org.uk/ countryside-access-directories.

Many of the routes in the charity’s Wild About Wharfedale Breakfree pack are also in the Dales – visit www.opencountry.org.uk/ breakfree/

Yorkshire Water says its partnership with Experience Community is continuing to provide access to reservoirs for people with disabilities.

The award-winning partnership has helped to improve access to reservoir routes for disabled people at Grimwith and Embsay, as well as the water company’s other reservoirs at Langsett, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, and Scammonden in West Yorkshire.

Experience Community is a not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) that provides activities, films and information about walks and other leisure activities for disabled people and the wider community.

Over the last 12 months, 48 events have taken place across the region, providing an opportunity for disabled people to meet, socialise and gain confidence in accessing the countryside in wheelchairs.

In the coming months a dedicated Yorkshire Water Partnership Officer will be taking up a role within Experience Community to further enhance the service provided and to increase engagement with people looking to access Yorkshire’s countryside.

Phil Tennyson, recreation coordinator at Yorkshire Water, said the successful partnership had been ongoing for some time.

“We have been working closely with Experience Community for a number of years and despite the impact of the pandemic, we have been able to support people with disabilities to access some the fantastic recreation sites we have around the region,” he said.

“We know how important getting out into nature is for mental health and this partnership has been vital in expanding access to our sites to those who may not have thought it was an option for them.”

Rik Legge from Experience Community said “A great many people enjoy being in the countryside; as well as being an excellent place to exercise, green spaces are known to help maintain our mental health and wellbeing.

“However, for disabled people, getting into these spaces can be incredibly difficult. Issues such as suitable parking, physical barriers such as gates and stiles, and rough terrain can all contribute to this difficulty.”

He added: “For this reason, the partnership between Yorkshire Water and Experience Community is invaluable.

“By working closely, we have managed to increase opportunities for access at several sites.

“Our joint efforts have resulted in physical improvements to facilities and paths, information videos and development of the Phototrails app to provide route details and guidance, and frequent events for disabled people at these sites.”

Found out more about Yorkshire Water reservoirs at: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/