Excellent level trail along the estuary - great for wildlife.
4
4
Date of visit: May 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
This is an easy trail, notwithstanding the need to park on the road at the start. The surface is compacted earth with lightly stoney sections. No major potholes just a few sections where the edge is eroded slightly. This is a cycle way so you'd expect wide and level. We started at the Freshwater Causeway and went to Off The Rails tea rooms in the old station near Yarmouth. See extra info section of this review for more info on the route. As you near the tearoom, bear right to stay on the cycle way - do not take the left hand path that follows the river to Yarmouth. Out and back took about 2 and a half hours- but we had elderly folk with us so were slow. I reckon we could have managed an hour each way. Allow extra time for the tea rooms - see separate review.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Being a cycle way this is wide and flat with a good firm surface. I have electric power but I would think it would be possible for a manual chair. There are benches all along here (some at viewpoints) the one in the picture is on a platform which is sadly stepped but all the others are on the same level as the trail. There are great views all along and allegedly red squirrels. The old station tea rooms are accessed by an easy ramp.
Parking & Transport
Poor
There's no car park and no disabled parking. However the ramble starts on a quiet country lane where there is room to park and unload with care. Make sure you don't obstruct passage for passing cars,
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There are no loos along the trail. However there is an excellent disabled loo if you visit Off The Rails towards the end if this trail.
Staff
0No staff on the trail.
Additional Information
Whoever is responsible for this trail really should publicise it with signage at the site stating it's an easy access trail. It's an absolute delight. Here's the link to the IoW ramblers leaflet on a circular walk that includes the ramble this review is about. http://www.iowramblers.com/Yar%20Easy%20Access%20leaflet%20map%20page.pdf On their map we started at point F and travelled on the right hand part of the route through Backets copse to point D, where we turned round and went back the same way.
