The UK’s best walks for older people

Exploring the great outdoors is a great way to stay active and appreciate the natural beauty of the UK. For older adults or those with limited mobility, finding accessible walking routes that are both scenic and easy to navigate is essential, and with many locations ensuring that every type of walker is catered for, there are some truly beautiful places to see. 

No matter whether an elderly person has limited mobility and needs a stair lift at home or is just cautious about walking long distances without rests, this guide has a walk that is perfect for all ages and levels of fitness. Read on to find out the best walks for older adults.

What are the benefits of walking?

Before going into the best walks older people can go on, it is worth highlighting some of the benefits of walking.

• Improves heart health - Walking for seniors can improve heart health by reducing the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Improves strength, stamina and suppleness – John Alden from I Walk Cornwall says, “Walking can improve strength, stamina and suppleness, regardless of age.  It's something that as you do more of it, you start to find it easier and are able to tackle a bit more.”
• Reduces pain – Walking is known to help reduce some pain. Sufferers of lower back pain, for example, are recommended to walk to strengthen their abdominal and back muscles.
• Lowers blood sugar – Going for a short walk after a meal is known to reduce the after-eating spike in blood sugar.
• Improves your well-being - Mike Brockhurst from The Walking Englishman says, “Being in my early 60’s now I really appreciate my passion for walking in our great outdoors. Whenever I am feeling lethargic or simply a little glum, I plan a walk and make sure I go out and do it. Whether it is a short local amble or a longer ramble I always feel the better for it. No pill, tonic or similar contrived pick-me-up can beat a walk. It is a sensational remedy to ills of mind and body.”

Accessible walks for all-year-round

Avalon Marshes, Somerset

Avalon Marshes is located right in the heart of Somerset’s Levels and Moors and is home to a number of nationally important nature reserves.

There are lots of tracks and trails around Avalon Marshes, and most are ideal for older walkers. The trails around Westhay Moor are perfect for walkers of all fitness levels as the paths are well maintained, and there is no elevation. They also offer visitors the chance to see all kinds of wildlife. After the walk around Westhay Moor, visitors can head to the Sweets Tea Rooms for a hot drink and a bit of cake.

There are also quite a few trails close by to the Avalon Marshes Centre at the Shapwick Heath and Catcott Complex. The routes are generally flat and are right beside the marshes, meaning you can get really close to the different types of birds and animals that live in the area.

Avalon Marshes recommend walkers wear good footwear as the paths can, in some places, get slightly muddy, although the nature reserves in the area all have car parks, meaning that if you need to head back to the car, it will only be a short walk away.

Baggy Point, Devon

Explore Devon recommends a walk to Baggy Point in North Devon, which starts in the National Trust Baggy Point car park close to the beautiful village of Croyde.

Part of the famous South West coast path, this 2.7-mile walk leads to a stunning viewpoint at Baggy Point, and the fact it has now been levelled and compacted means it is easier to access for everyone.

The first half a mile of the path can even be used by wheelchair users, but then there are some slightly steeper gradients after this initial stretch. The end result of the walk is a stunning sweeping view of the coast and cliff-nesting seabirds.

Daymer Bay to Padstow, Cornwall

John Alden from I Walk Cornwall, who has information on around 220 walks around the county, recommends a walk from Daymer Bay to Padstow in North Cornwall.

John says, "I've selected a figure-of-8 walk from Daymer Bay to Padstow, which has mostly gentle gradients but is a very respectable six miles in length. However, the route is broken into 3 sections with two rides on the ferry and the option to stop for a cuppa or something to eat in Padstow. 

"It is, therefore, an ideal walk to pace yourself and spread over a full day out. It is also possible to break the middle section of the walk by having a paddle on the golden sandy beach at Harbour Cove overlooking the infamous Doom Bar, which wrecked hundreds of vessels before giving its name to the local beer now sold all over the world. 

"The walk passes St Enodoc Church which, by Victorian times, had become so buried by the sand dunes that services were held by entering through the roof, and the Elizabethan manor continuously occupied by the Prideaux family for 14 generations and with a deer park dating back to Roman times. The walk includes plenty of snippets of local history, including the origins of Cornwall's iconic pasty."

Chichester Harbour route, West Sussex

Aimee White, editorial assistant at Rough Guides, a leading travel publisher, has picked out a walk which is a great walk for older people.

She says, “Our Chichester Harbour route is perfect for history buffs, architecture admirers and for anyone in between. The route, which covers 9 kilometres in total, should take you just over 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Whilst you can easily halve this route by returning directly to Fishbourne from The Anchor Bleu pub, it's much more picturesque to go back the way you came.

“You'll start at Fishbourne, which is home to the largest excavated Roman site in Britain, Fishbourne Palace. There are only a couple of pubs in this tiny village but plenty of green spaces for picnics in the sunshine. You'll soon cross the peninsula into the Saxon-settlement of Bosham– walking along the edge of the harbour, keep an eye out for the charming 17th and 18^th-century cottages that will swing into view. This intricate route will give you an insightful background to both the local culture and the wider area of West Sussex.”

Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove, Yorkshire Dales

The Walking Englishman recommends the Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove for visitors and locals in the Yorkshire Dales.

Described as the most popular walk for families and mature walkers in the national park, the trail leads to Gordale Scar to see the famous waterfall. The views from the route are spectacular, and the path itself is fairly flat, apart from one section where walkers will have to climb up a fairly steep path to the left of Malham Cove.

The walk goes close to the base of the cliff, and the impressive limestone face is usually used by rock climbers who are testing their skills. Birdwatchers will be in close proximity to keep an eye on the resident Peregrine Falcons.

Staithes, Port Mulgrave and Hinderwell, North York Moors

The Staithes, Port Mulgrave and Hinderwell route is also recommended as one of the best walks for older people on the North York Moors.

Mike Brockhurst from The Walking Englishman says Staithes is one of the North Yorkshire coasts picture postcard villages and this walk starts and finishes at the beautiful village. Walkers leave the village by following the North Yorkshire coastline south to Port Mulgrave and then head inland towards Hinderwell.

There is a lovely woodland path that walkers can follow, which passes through a nature reserve and then leads back to Staithes.

In total, the walk is just over four miles, and it is best for enjoying over a half-day.

Kirkby Stephen and Eden Viaducts Trail, Cumbria

Walking World recommend the Kirkby Stephen and Eden Viaducts Trail as one of the best walks for older people to go on.

The trail follows an old railway line over deep valleys to the south of Kirkby Stephen. The trail takes in impressive stone viaducts and gives visitors an insight into how important the Stainmore railway used to be and what an essential link it was between the coalfields of South Durham and the iron and steel industries in Lancashire and West Cumberland.

The walk has two platelayers’ huts on the viaduct path, which display old photographs and share some history of the line. At the weekend, the museum and café are open, and restored steam trains can be seen at Kirkby Stephen East Station.

This circuit offers some fantastic views, and from the Millennium Footbridge at Stenkrith, walkers can see the River Eden as it swirls through the rocks below.

Loughrigg Tarn, Lake District

No walking guide is complete without a walk in the Lake District, as the region is no doubt one of the best places in the world to walk.

Older people don’t have to miss out on these walks, even if they cannot walk long distances, as there are lots of accessible routes available in the national park.

The Walking Englishman says Loughrigg Tarn is one of the best walks for older people to go on in the Lake District as it is not only an easy walk to navigate but is a beautiful trail as well.

Mike Brockhurst says, “This walk is truly delightful and it involves walking through a lovely wooded glade to the most sublime tarn which is in a beautiful setting. On a clear day there are awesome views of the Langdale Pikes to be had while you relax on the shore-side of the tarn. Also, it is one of the best places in the Lake District to enjoy a picnic so why not take one with you.”

The walk will usually take around 1-2 hours and is around 1.7 miles long.

Accessible autumn and winter walks

North York Moors National Park, North-East Yorkshire

The North York Moors National Park is the perfect option for those searching for an accessible walk. With a number of routes on various terrains, wheelchair, tramper and scooter users should be able to find the ground manageable, although it is important to check the stability of your mobility aid first, as the terrain may be uneven in some parts, particularly after periods of bad weather.

Whilst at the North York Moors National Park, visitors can expect unrivalled views out over Sutton Bank and panoramic vistas of Runswick Bay. We spoke to North Moor National Park Authority who informed us that this was a brilliant place for an accessible walk this autumn. They shared:

“Thanks to a wonderful range of accessible paths no one need miss the sheltered woodlands, rugged coastlines and stunning heather moorland of the North York Moors National Park. There is so much to see and feel and with so many easy access routes of less than three miles the National Park is truly open to all.

“One route at Cawthorn Roman Camps, near Cropton, is a perfect example. This easy-going 1-mile trail offers you the opportunity to discover some remarkable Roman fortifications built nearly 2,000 years ago whilst also experiencing some beautiful vantage points over the North York Moors.

“Then there’s another route within the Esk Valley, near Grosmont. This 3-mile route is a fantastic outing, along a section of the disused railway line, in the company of the tumbling Murk Esk. This and so much more awaits any eager traveller. Each of these easy access paths is fairly level and is also suitable for wheelchairs and scooters capable of travelling over rough ground.

“We have also had some amazing feedback for our new Tramper scheme launched at Sutton Bank National Park Centre and the National Trust Ravenscar Visitor Centre. The electric all-terrain mobility scooters, otherwise known as Trampers, are designed to cover rough terrain allowing visitors with limited or poor mobility to explore the landscape.

“One user, Malcolm Lees said: “I am a wheelchair user and so imagine how lucky I felt when we booked a mobility vehicle from your Sutton Bank National Park Centre. We met a very nice man, called Peter, who checked my documents and explained, very thoroughly about the vehicle.

“I would like to thank the National Park and Peter for supporting people with a disability, giving them the chance to see and use the facilities of your establishment – this is absolutely fantastic. May I say that by providing this vehicle you have opened up your facility to more disabled people as well as opening up another chapter in their ongoing struggle for equality.”

“The scheme has been set up in partnership with Lake District Mobility and is currently running on Tuesdays and Fridays at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. It is also available at the National Trust Ravenscar Visitor Centre on Fridays at 10 am and 1 pm.

“All of our easy access routes are made even more special during the autumn and winter months. Crisp, clear skies, leafless woodlands cloaked in mist, exposed heather – there is so much you don’t want to miss as the colder months creep in.”

Not only are there six routes in the North York Moors National Park that are considered to have easy access, but the park centre has an electric wheelchair that visitors can borrow free of charge if needed. The North York Moors National Park Centre also has an accessible toilet, a platform lift for internal access and a loop system at the information desk. Whilst making your way around the grounds, the circular trail and wildflower garden have level access with tarmac and grass paths.

Aros Park, Tobermory 

When heading out for an autumnal or winter walk, you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of the UK. This is especially true in Aros Park, where you can wander past waterfalls and look out over the loch. The circular path is the most popular route here; stretching for a mile, the terrain is moderately bumpy and includes a few steps, so if you use a stair lift at home, this may not be the best option for you. Alternatively, the route from the Alainn View car park to the lookout tower is short and sweet and involves walking along a smooth path that’s perfect for wheelchair users.

In the car park, visitors can find plenty of parking, as well as easy-access facilities for wheelchair users and people with low mobility. Although the autumn and winter months are perfect for exploring this area, during the summer months, you can also light up the barbecue and sit on a picnic bench.

Exmoor National Park, Devon

The South West is a wonderful, largely untouched area of countryside that is truly breathtaking. Whether you’re looking for a route to wander in the early morning, watching the sun slowly rise or somewhere to spend the afternoon, Exmoor National Park is ideal, with plenty of places for you to visit. Given the unruly and wild nature of the national park, you may be mistaken for thinking that a walk on Exmoor is unattainable for those in wheelchairs or with low mobility. However, there are many routes that have fantastic access, and several locations, including Heddon Valley and Dunster Castle, also have all-terrain trampers available for you to use.

Accessible spring walks

Monsal Trail & other old railway lines, Derbyshire

There are lots of railway lines that are now popular walking routes around the UK, and many of these are very accessible to walkers with mobility problems because the routes are flat.

Ian, who runs the site Come Walk With Me, explains why old railway lines are excellent walking routes:

“Many old railway lines have been turned into excellent, accessible walks in the North West of England. The most famous is probably the Monsal Trail, which runs from Chee Dale to Bakewell and is full of historical and natural interest. Other lesser-known but equally good trails, including the Tissington Trail and Middlewood Way, are both flat, and the latter has beautiful wildflowers in spring. Mam Tor in the Dark Peak is a little more challenging due to the rocky staircase to the top, but for a very short walk, you get stunning 360-degree views of the Edale and Hope valleys!

“Due to the fact they are on old railway lines, the first of these three routes are very flat and are well surfaced, making for comfortable walking. Each route passes or starts/finishes in bustling, interesting towns and villages with a plethora of sights to see and plenty of opportunities for refreshment and rest en route. Mam Tor is a little more challenging underfoot, but you can park at the foot of the staircase and from there it's around 500m to the wonderful summit.”

Dartmoor, Devon

Located in the heart of Devon, Dartmoor’s ancient landscape is famed for its stunning views, wooded valleys, granite tors, flowing rivers and, of course, its ponies!

Those of you with mobility problems can still enjoy everything that Dartmoor has to offer, as there are lots of easy-to-follow trails you can stroll on. Here are some of the great routes you can follow.

Fi, who is one half of the popular walking blog Two Blondes Walking, says this accessible route will give you a really good taste of Dartmoor:

“From Shipley Bridge near South Brent on Dartmoor's South Moor, you can walk upstream to the Avon dam and enjoy the river as it tumbles down the valley. There is a tarmac, pedestrian road all the way up to the dam and, for those who feel energetic enough to make the climb to the top, there are also some fantastic views across the reservoir and Dartmoor. Suitable for wheelchairs to the bottom of the dam. This walk is a favourite with families and the older generations alike and offers plenty of interest and a bit of Dartmoor history all up a gentle and pleasant incline. The car park is free.”

Dubwath Silver Meadows and Ouse Bridge, Lake District

The 1.6-mile circuit gives walkers unrivalled access to the Lake District’s first wetlands nature reserve at Dubwath Silver Meadows and is a wildlife haven for nature lovers and bird watchers.

The boardwalks, which are actually made from recycled plastic bottles, provide access for wheelchair users and walkers with limited mobility.

Along the route, there are viewing points and hides, and during spring, you will be able to see a whole host of birds in the wetland. During this time of year, you will be able to see all the unique flora and fauna coming to life after the winter months.

There is also a 200-metre path at Ouse Bridge, which gives visitors with mobility issues access to Bassenthwaite lakeshore.

The UK’s best walks for older people:

• Avalon Marshes, Somerset
• Baggy Point, Devon
• Daymer Bay to Padstow, Cornwall
• Chichester Harbour route, West Sussex
• Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove, Yorkshire Dales
• Staithes, Port Mulgrave and Hinderwell, North York Moors
• Kirkby Stephen and Eden Viaducts Trail, Cumbria
• Loughrigg Tarn, Lake District
• North York Moors National Park, North-East Yorkshire
• Aros Park, Tobermory
• Exmoor National Park, Devon
• Monsal Trail & other old railway lines, Derbyshire
• Dartmoor, Devon
• Dubwath Silver Meadows and Ouse Bridge, Lake District

This article was brought to you by Handicare, working with Age Co, who provide a range of home mobility products such as stairlifts, homelifts and bathing solutions. For more information about how they can help make your home more accessible, please get in touch.