WALKS (that may be) SUITABLE FOR (Motorised) WHEELCHAIR USERS
Click on the green heading to download the route
Drakes Trail
Drakes Trail is a 21 mile shared cycling and walking route mostly with a tarmac surface that links the northern side of Plymouth to Tavistock. The trail goes over several huge viaducts and through tunnels.
There is good access to the Plymouth end at Plymbridge woods see West Devon Way Walk 2 3 and 4.
There is also very good access to Drakes Trail from Yelverton as the trail goes through a small free unrestricted car park. See BusTop Walk 4.
Also from Yelverton you can easily access Drakes Trail going in the opposite direction towards Tavistock. This time park your car in the free unrestricted car park opposite the Dartmoor Bakery at the Leg of Mutton which is on the other side of the roundabout to the shops. See West Devon Way Walk 6. If you have a tramper it may be possible to get as far as Long Ash Garden Centre but there is a bit of a ditch where the WDW meets the road at Pound Hill. Walk 6 returns to Yelverton via Buckland and several stiles so you would need to turn around and return the same way.
Tavistock
Canal towpath: Park in the large car park opposite the Wharf theatre. Go towards the swimming pool turn left and then with the river Tavy on your left take the tarmac path past the band stand and play park then take the next right fork. Go under the A386 via the subway and continue on past the school. Opposite the playing field fork right and this will take you up to the canal towpath that goes all the way to Shillamill viaduct. It’s more than a mile of track recently upgraded for wheelchair use.
Tavistock Viaduct trail: From Bedford Square take Drakes Road up to and under the second arch of the viaduct. Take the next right turn and go under the first arch and up to Quant Park. Take the next left in front of the houses and this road will take you to the top of the viaduct. From there there is a lovely ride all the way to Crease Lane. Crease lane does not have a pavement but if you are happy using the road then you can come back via Ford Street and West Street to make a circular route.
Burrator
At Burrator Reservoir the track from Norsworthy bridge to Deancombe although a bit rough in places should be accessible by tramper. See Dartmoor Walks Drivage Bottom.
The track from Norsworthy bridge going up to Crazywell pool or Leather tor bridge is very rough and probably not suitable even for a tramper. However if you park at Norsworthy bridge car park and go back over the bridge then take the first right to go up the hill and over the leat the track on your right would take you to Leather Tor bridge and is not quite so rough.
Princetown
Have a look at the walk Crock of Gold which you will find under Dartmoor Middle. Going up beside the Plume of Feathers pub there is a good track that takes you out to Nuns Cross farm. If you want to see the Crock of Gold just reverse the walk from Princetown. Both are there and back excursions. The Crock of Gold cist is not very far off the track and you may be able to get to it.
Hexworthy
Have a look at Hexworthy a short walk. This is a there and back excursion but you will be able to get as far as Fairy Bridge and see the old house on the other side of the river.
Granite Way
The granite Way is also a shared cycle walking track with a tarmac surface that you can easily access from Lydford where there is a small lay-by for parking. The Granite way will then take you all the way to Okehampton.
Sourton Tors and Black Tor
For the more adventurous it may be possible to take your tramper all the way up to the top of Sourton Tors. Park by the church at Sourton. See West Devon Way Walk 13. Scroll through the instruction and go from the Highwayman.
Similarly there is also a track although a bit rough in places that will take you from Meldon reservoir car park over the dam and then up to Black Tor. You would need to be a confidant tramper as its a bit steep in places coming back down.
Okehampton Ranges
From the centre of Okehampton take the road towards the station but then ignore the left turn to the station and keep going up the hill. This will take you all,the way to Okehampton camp and the Live Firing Range.
Check the firing time and when there is no firing the access roads into the moor are freely available for all to use.
Pushchair Walks on Dartmoor
There is a book by Emma Richardson published by Bossiney Books of Exeter called Pushair Walks on Dartmoor. Well it occurs to me if a push chair can manage it so can a wheelchair. The book costs £4.99 and is widely available.
Not all the walks are in West Devon but nevertheless check these out:
Walk 1 Belstone village to Cullever Steps See also Okehampton Ranges above
Walk 2 and 3 Fernworthy Reservoir. See Dartmoor Walks North Fernworthy Reservoir and Kes Tor. This would be a very good walk for a Wheelchair but first you have to get to Fernworthy through all the narrow pot holey lanes.
Walk 4 Bellever Forest. Excellent tracks car park with toilet block
Walk 5 Hay Tor and Quarry. Suggest avoid Sunny weekends as the car parks fill up.
Walk 6 Parke Estate. Excellent suggestion
Walk 7 King Tor A railway track walk see Merrivale antiquities and Quarries. This walk does the quarry bit but in reverse. Your driver may have to drop you off and park in the larger Four winds car park a bit further along the road as it is quite a small car park.
Walk 8 Buckland Beacon between Ashburton and Widecombe in the moor
Walk 9 Burrator Arboretum See Burrator above as well.
Walk 10 Cadover Bridge and lakes. See Plym Trail walks number 6. Try out walk 1 and 2 as far as you can go using the road and the farm track as the riverside walk would be impossible for a wheelchair.
Walk 11. Plymbridge Woods. See also West Devon Way walks 1 2 and 3 and Plym Trail walk 1 and 2. For the Saltram walks suggest you park in the National Trust car park. The Saltram estate walks are all wheel chair friendly.