Join Access the Dales for a stunning stile-free circular walk exploring the beautiful Tarn Hows area and descending gently towards Coniston, with fabulous views of the fells, lakes, and woodlands. This route is suitable for motorised, all-terrain mobility scooters (e.g. TGA Breeze S4, Tramper, TerrainHopper) with appropriate clearance and battery capacity.

• Distance: Approx. 6.5 miles / 10.5 km

• Duration: 3.5–4.5 hours (including stops and lunch)

• Terrain: Gravel tracks, forestry paths, and quiet roads

• Gradient: Some moderate inclines and descents

• Facilities: Disabled toilets at Tarn Hows (start) and in Coniston village

What to Bring:

• Packed lunch and snacks

• Water bottle

• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs)

• Fully charged scooter

• Repair kit if needed

• Personal medication

Scooter Suitability & Responsibility

This route is suitable for robust all-terrain mobility scooters. Participants must ensure:

• Their scooter is capable of handling gravel paths, inclines, and distances of at least 7 miles.

• The manufacturer confirms the model’s suitability for off-road conditions.

• They are familiar with their scooter’s controls, battery range, and safe use.

All participants are responsible for their own equipment and safety.

Route Description

1. Start: Tarn Hows Car Park (11:00 AM) Meet near the café kiosk. After a short welcome and safety briefing, we’ll begin the walk heading clockwise around Tarn Hows on the well-maintained circular trail, taking in panoramic views of the lake and surrounding woodland.

2. Descent towards Coniston After the loop, we’ll take the gravel path down through the wooded slopes of Monk Coniston, following designated forestry tracks with moderate gradients and some narrower sections.

3. Lunch Stop We'll pause near Coniston Hall or the lakeshore for a relaxed picnic lunch (approximately halfway). There are open grassy areas perfect for parking scooters and enjoying the scenery.

4. Return to Tarn Hows The return route follows a quiet lane and bridleway, passing through fields and mixed woodland, climbing gently back towards the Tarn Hows car park.

Important Notes

· Trained volunteers or guides will accompany the group, but this is not a led or supervised event.

· In the event of severe weather, the event may be postponed, or the route shortened for safety.

· Please arrive 15 minutes early for parking and setup.

About Access the Dales

Access the Dales is a charitable organisation dedicated to making the beautiful countryside accessible to people with limited mobility. Through the provision of all-terrain mobility vehicles and the promotion of inclusive routes, Access the Dales helps ensure that everyone — regardless of ability — can experience the joy of the outdoors. Their mission is to break down barriers and open up the countryside for all.

About Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith is a highly experienced mountain leader and founder of Where2Walk, a walking resource offering hundreds of routes across the UK. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, he has completed all the Munros in Scotland and created the "Dales 30" challenge. Through Where2Walk, he offers guided walks, navigation courses, and walking holidays. Jonathan is passionate about making the countryside accessible and co-authored Walks Without Stiles with Debbie North, promoting stile-free routes for people with limited mobility. Based in Northumberland, he continues to inspire walkers of all abilities to explore the UK's beautiful upland landscapes.

About Debbie North

Debbie North is a passionate advocate for accessible outdoor adventures and the founder of Access the Dales, a charity committed to making the countryside inclusive for all. After developing a spinal condition that led to her using a wheelchair, Debbie was determined not to give up her love of the hills and wild places. Instead, she became a leading voice in promoting access to the outdoors for people with limited mobility.

Debbie works with National Parks, walking groups, and tourism organisations to improve accessibility in rural areas. Through Access the Dales, she helps provide all-terrain mobility wheelchair and promotes stile-free routes, enabling more people to enjoy nature without barriers.

A skilled writer and speaker, Debbie shares her experiences in blogs, articles, and books. She co-authored Walks Without Stiles with mountain leader Jonathan Smith — a guide to accessible routes across the UK — and regularly gives talks to raise awareness around inclusive access.

Her work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: the countryside should be open to everyone. Whether through campaigning, writing, or leading by example, Debbie continues to inspire others to discover the outdoors, proving that disability should never mean disconnection from nature.

This event is in support of the Alfred Wainwright exhibition hosted by The Armitt, co-curated by Chris Butterfield