We might not have miles of super smooth surfaced tracks suitable for every wheelchair user in the National Landscape, but we do have miles of barrier free footpaths, forest tracks and lanes which can be accessed with the right off-road wheelchairs and knowledge.
Working with Craig Grimes from @experiencecommunity we scouted suitable routes to made up a decent length off-road wheelchair rambles for our 3 days of events 27 – 29th September 2024. During the weekend Craig lead two inaugural walks, one near Tintern and one north of Ross-on-Wye, taking wheelchair ramblers into the heart of the National Landscape for a full day of exploration.
This event is a first for the Wye Valley National Landscape Team. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. It was an amazingly positive and successful event and we have listened and learnt so much from this pilot.
We need your input and help so that we can keep the momentum going so please do get in touch if you would like to be involved, or with suggestions and advice for taking this forward.
On Friday 27th September over 60 people joined us, in the beautiful woodland setting of Whitestone Picnic site near Tintern, to try out Mountain Trikes, Trampers and Terrain Hoppers.
Recognising that access to suitable equipment is a huge barrier for wheelchair users to access the countryside we brought together wheelchair users, off-road mobility equipment suppliers, wheelchair rambling enthusiasts, access groups and walking groups for a ‘Welcome to Off Road Wheeling Day’.
As well as lots of smiles as people tried out specialist equipment for the first time, there was also lots of conversation about how we can make the National Landscape more accessible and work towards our long-term aspiration of setting up an accessible hub, where you can hire an all-terrain vehicle, with training and mechanical support on hand.
On 28th September Craig led a 9 mile Mountain Trike Ramble, following the Wye Valley Walk, and on forestry tracks, heathland paths and country lanes from Whitestone to The Narth. At Beacon Hill the group enjoyed far reaching views to the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons and followed in the footsteps of a Duchess along Duchess’s ride, wheeling through the landscape which led William Wordsworth to write ‘Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey’.
As part of Ross-on-Wye Walking Festival we held a 4 mile Mountain Trike Ramble along farm tracks, down to the River Wye and around Townsend Farm, a regnerative farm owned by the Taylor Davies Family. More than 20 people joined the walk and enjoyed discovering the farm trail, the restored railway wagon, the colourful outdoor silo classroom and the access-for- all benches overlooking the river, finishing off with a hog roast generously laid on by Ben and Helen Taylor Davies.
This farm ramble was a fantastic opportunity for newbies to off-road rambling to try out the amazing Terrain Hopper which can go anywhere! Thanks to Debbie and Sam from Terrain Hoppers for making this happen – and also John from Disabled Ramblers and Craig and Rik from Experience Community for bringing along Trampers and Mountain Trikes.
We would like to thank the UK Government and Visit Monmouthshire for providing funding for the Welcome to Wheelchair Rambling Day on 27th September and the Lower Wye Valley Wheelchair Ramble on 28th September.
We would like to thank DEFRA for providing funding for the Wheelchair Ramble Beside the Wye at Ross on Sunday 29th September.
Without their assistance these events would not be possible.
We would also like to thank Natural Resources Wales for use of Whitestone picnic Site and Sarah Tindal and Bob Campbell from NRW for helping out on the Have a Go day and Whitestone Ramble.
Thank you to our Wye Valley National Landscape Volunteers who accompanied the walks.
Thanks to Ben and Helen Taylor Davies from Townsend Farm for their support and generosity in hosting the Townsend Farm ramble. And thanks to Ross Town Council for support behind the scenes with carparking.
Links to find accommodation and other useful information: