Hard work but worth it for the views
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: October 2021
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
We started at the National Park Centre in Malham and decided on this walk after chatting to the staff there. We were warned that it was steep in places and that the ground was uneven but that the views at the end would be worth it. They weren't wrong... on either count.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
From the visitor centre, the route starts on the road. Initially there is a pavement but this soon disappears and the road goes unhill quite steeply. It is narrow so most cars go slowly but care is needed. Just past the houses, you turn right through a gate onto a gravel path. This also goes uphill for quite a way. The whole route is only 1 mile but it feels like more on the way there! There are several gates on the route. They can all be opened but the very last one was too narrow for my chair. However, I was able to get close enough to the cliff face and get some really good views. The stream at the end of the route is lovely and my assistance dog thoroughly enjoyed a paddle. There are sections where the ground is very uneven, with tree roots and the like. There were also many puddles, as it has rained a lot recently. Puddles are fun though in a mountain trike.
Parking & Transport
Good
There are four marked blue badge spaces in the car park, each with hatchings on both sides. The path from the car park to the visitor centre is good. Parking was very busy, with many people creating spaces that didn't exist but we didn't have a problem getting a blue badge space. In summer though, more than four might be needed.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There is an accessible toilet with RADAR lock at the visitor centre. It was clean, well stocked and had enough room for me and my mountain trike. The doorway was a little narrower than I'd like and the hand-dryer was pretty lame. It was one the better toilets I've found in busy tourist spots.
Staff
Excellent
The staff in the visitor could not have been any more helpful or friendly. They were really pleasant and spent time talking us through the various walk options.
