Accessible trails

Below are some of the trails in the Yorkshire Dales National Park that are accessible for people with limited mobility.

Please keep checking this section as more trails will be added in the future.  Also, if you know of any trails that should be listed, please contact the Access Development Officer on 01969 652363.

Hawes to the Wensleydale Creamery

Grid reference: SD 874898 to SD 870895

Trail: This 450 metre (m) linear route follows the Pennine Way from the church in Hawes to the Wensleydale Creamery.

The first 70m of the trail are cobbled with a gradient of 1:7.  After this point, the footpath levels out with some slight gradients up to 1:10.  Most of the length is constructed of stone flags at a width of 100 centimetres (cm).  There is a rest area half way along the route.

Toilets: The nearest public toilets, including RADAR facility toilets, are at the Hawes National Park Centre.

Parking: There are numerous places to park within Hawes.  There is a free car park along the main street.  There are also disabled parking bays at the Hawes National Park Centre.

Cotter Force

Grid reference: SD 850915

Known as ‘the valley of the waterfalls’, Wensleydale harbours many delights for the visitor. Cotter Force is a lovely secluded waterfall in a wooded setting. It is a series of about half a dozen waterfalls with the largest single drop being about 1.5m. The force widens as it descends being only a couple of feet wide at the top and about 4.5m wide at the bottom.

Trail: This 490m level path alongside the beck is suitable for wheelchairs. The surface is constructed of compacted stone with a general width of 110cm. There are three seating areas evenly spaced along the footpath.

Whilst walking the route look out for dippers, grey wagtails, redstarts, long tailed tits and kingfishers.

Toilets: The nearest public toilets, including RADAR facility toilets, are at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes.

Parking: There is a pull-in for three cars, but with limited width for wheelchairs.

Aysgarth Falls and Freeholders’ Wood

Grid reference: SE 012888

Aysgarth Falls is a series of cascading falls separated into three forces, Higher, Middle and Lower. Higher Falls is the most vigorous of the group whereas Middle Falls had the largest single drop of around 2m. Lower Falls is in the most serene setting.

The National Park Centre café nearby is wheelchair accessible and can cater for specific dietary requirements.

Trail to Freeholders’ Wood: This level footpath runs through Freeholders’ Wood with great views of the Middle Falls.  All gates are accessible and there are seating areas along the route.

A further route can be followed along a mud track through the woodland.

Toilets: There are public toilets, including RADAR facility toilets, at the National Park Centre.

Parking: There are designated car parking spaces near to the toilets, National Park Centre and entrance to the café.