The Dartmoor Wheelchair Access Group (WAGS) is just a group of keen individuals trying to put this on. We have no funds, no sponsorship just enthusiasm. We drive a range of scooters from BOMA’s, Xtrail power chairs, TGA scooters and Trampers. As a small friendly group we explore Dartmoor to find wheelchair accessible routes and talk to Dartmoor National Park about making more routes wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility could be through removing barriers such as stiles, narrow gates, drainage gulley’s small rocks, mud embankments etc. Quite often a little work with a spade and shovel turns an impassable route into a passable route.
In 2018 this event was trialled for the first time. Enough people came to make it worth trying for a second year. So in 2019 we have 8 days of walks. All the walks are led by two able-bodied Moorland Guides, supported by willing helpers in a variety of scooters.
It is the able bodied Moorland Guides and other able bodied helpers who make this possible. Recently when WAGS did the Rattlebrook Tramway near Okehampton, half a dozen able bodied members of the Tavistock Ramblers joined us for the day. Their help was invaluable during the very steep climb up over rough terrain.
The aim of the walks is to try and attract as many users of manual wheelchairs, standard power chairs, and small 4mph scooters to some of the easier level 1 walks as we can.
But also attract people with more powerful chairs to the level 2 or level 3 walks.
Level 2 walks would need an 8 mph scooter or equivalent power chair. The key issues here are ground clearance and power to get up slopes.
Level 3 need a more robust scooter such as a TGA Supersport, a TGA Breeze, a Tramper or a similar power chair such as an Xtrail or a BOMA.
Many of the paths we explore on Dartmoor quickly get away from people. The beauty of hearing only the wind, birds and viewing the stunning landscape is fantastic. There is a set of woods we go through and I always have the feeling that Lord of the Rings Orcs are going to spring out as we pass through.
In 2005 my Doctor said I should use a scooter. I began with a manual wheelchair, then a 4mph scooter then a bigger 8 mph scooter and finally a large TGA that can go cross country. That journey of discovery of different types of scooter and their capabilities has been an interesting one.
When my children were small we walked on Dartmoor, they climbed Haytor and my Dad walked his dogs with us. Once into the scooter I thought all that had gone. Now with a good off-road scooter and enthusiastic WAGs friends I can drive my scooter up Haytor and many other places besides.
All walks are fully guided by people with extensive knowledge of Dartmoor
Category 1 Suitable for a basic power chair or 4mph scooter
Category 2 Require a 6/8 mph road scooter or more advanced power chair
Category 3 Require a Tramper or equivalent off-road scooter/power chair e.g. Chasswheel 4X
- Saturday 24 August
- 11am – 3pm
- Drake’s Trail: Yelverton to Grenofen tunnel
- 6 miles
- Category 1
- Meet at the car park by Dartmoor Bakery in Yelverton
- Sunday 25 August
- 11am – 3pm
- Yarner Wood and the Bovey Valley
- 5.5 miles
- Category 2-3
- Meet at Middle Trendlebere car park
- Monday 26 August
- 11am – 4pm
- Fernworthy Reservoir and Forest
- 6.5 miles
- Category 3
- Meet at Fernworthy Reservoir car park
- Tuesday 27 August
- 11am – 4pm
- Rattlebrook Tramway
- 6.25 miles
- Category 3
- Meet at the Fox and Hounds, Bridestowe (on the A386). N.B. Not suitable for power chairs
- Thursday 29 August
- 10.30am – 3pm
- Bellever Forest
- 8 miles
- Category 3
- Meet at the car park (High Dartmoor) opposite Postbridge Visitor Centre
- Friday 30 August
- 11am – 4pm
- Okehampton Military Ring Road
- 7 miles
- Category 3
- Meet at the car park near Row Tor N.B. Small ford to cross
- Saturday 31 August
- 10am – 12.30pm
- Shipley Bridge to the Avon Dam
- 4.5 miles
- Category 1
- Meet at Shipley Bridge car park
- Sunday 1 September
- 11am – 3pm
- Fingle woods and the River Teign
- 5 miles
- Category 1
- Meet at the car parking area near Fingle Bridge Inn
For further information and to book a place contact Dawn Williamson
Tel: 07557 330577
Email: accessiblewalks@outlook.com
Date: 24th August – 1st September 2019
Website: www.moorlandguides.co.uk