Accessible path through heart of national park moorland
5
5
Date of visit: August 2021
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
It can be difficult to experience the bleak North York Moors on a scooter or wheelchair, but this old railway line is covered in a fairly good cinder surface and is directly accessible from the road and car park. You can travel for miles in a north westerly direction to the edge of the National Park and enjoy fabulous views of Ferndale and Westerdale and beyond. Wildlife abounds – butterflies and moths, grouse, meadow pippets, buzzards. It is quite hard to find, so I have given details below. It is a straight there and back walk although I am planning to explore a possible path down into Westerdale in future!
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Flat access off car park across road and on to the former railway track. No steep gradients in the three or four miles I explored.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Drive from Castleton towards Hutton-in-the-Hole and a quarter mile beyond the Lion Inn is a car park on the left side with an information board. From Hutton you will need to spot the car park before you reach the Lion Inn, there is a very sharp left turn down into Farndale opposite the car park. From the car park, cross the road and down the Farndale turning for 20 yards and then right on to the old railway path which has flat access. You can negotiate a wheel chair around the side of a gate and then there are no other obstacles for miles! You can also explore bits of the railway path on the car park side of the road if you want a shorter trip.
Accessible Toilets
0No accessible loos at car park. Not sure about Lion Inn down the road.
