Mobility issues

Mobility scooter image generated by Gemini AI

We've been asked whether any of our 300 free walks are suitable for mobility scooters. Unfortunately, apart from some sections of our walks in Heartwood Forest, Broxbourne Woods, and along some of the old railway lines such as the Cole Green Way, Ayot Greenway, and the Alban Way, most are not suitable.

This is because our routes tend to involve narrow footpaths, gates, footbridges, rutted bridleways, and steep hills.

But there are several areas of the Hertfordshire countryside that offer access for those on mobility scooters, and many organisations are actively working to improve accessibility. Here are some examples:

Some accessible areas:

Alban Way is a trail for cyclists and walkers along a disused section of the Great Northern Railway, between the historic towns of St Albans and Hatfield, providing an interesting route through Hertfordshire countryside. This safe, flat, gentle, traffic-free route runs between Cottonmill Lane in St Albans and Wrestlers Bridge in Hatfield. Its smooth surface makes it perfect for all users and there are many access points, most of which are ramped or level - from the Sustrans website. We have several walks that utilise parts of the Alban Way with access from the car park at Smallford Station. They are Walk 247: Nast Hyde Halt Loop (from point 1 to 2), the first part of Walk 184: Tyttenhanger Green Loop (between points 1 and 2), and part of Walk 242: Smallford North Loop (between points 12 and 1).

Amwell Nature Reserve near Ware is one of the most important places for wildlife in the county and is well-used and enjoyed by the local community. The reserve has solid, steady paths when dry and accessed from Hollycross Road or along the towpath from Stanstead Abbotts (south) or Ware (north). The track from Amwell Lane is very uneven - from the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Ashridge Estate is owned by the National Trust. It has 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) area of the Chiltern Hills with 12 accessible parking spaces, 50yds from the visitor centre. All-ability trails - three accessible routes starting near the visitor centre. Pathways - smooth and flat tracks, to rougher routes and sloping natural terrain. Many routes can be slippery and muddy after wet weather. PMVs single-seater scooters and one two-seater golf buggies are available to borrow. Adapted toilet available - please note this facility is only open during opening hours, there is no radar key access - from the National Trust website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Ayot Greenway runs from Welwyn Garden City to Wheathampstead and is part of the National Cycle Network Route 57. It follows a former railway line (with a short break where the A1(M) cuts through it). You can do the first part as a loop by following Walk 230: Welwyn Garden City Short Loop. You could then do the Ayot Green to Wheathampstead section by following our Walk 290: Welwyn Garden City to Wheathampstead Linear from point 8 to 11 return.

Barclay Park is a Green Flag accredited park situated on a gentle hillside overlooking an ornamental lake, which has recently been restored as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund project initiated by the Friends of Barclay Park group. The total area of the park is 18.3 acres. Facilities include car parking, picnic tables, a duck pond, toilets, an easy access pathway and play equipment - from the Borough of Broxbourne Council website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Berkhamsted Waterways Walk includes three circular walks from 2 to 6 miles including an easy access route. The walks take in the waterways of Berkhamsted, including the River Bulbourne chalk stream and the Grand Union Canal - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Bishop’s Wood Country Park is a 38 Hectare ancient semi-natural woodland which means it is likely that there has been a wood in this location since Britain was afforested after the last ice age. There is a short easy access trail leading directly from the car park. This has a firm surface and is suitable for families with buggies, wheelchair users and those less mobile - from the Three Rivers District Council website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Broxbourne Woods This ancient woodland has wheelchair-friendly paths and good wheelchair access, including an easy 1km circuit with a low uphill gradient. From the Home Instead Website. We have several walks in Broxbourne Wood, the most suitable for mobility scooter access would be Walk 60: The Sculpture Trail.

Chilterns accessible paths range from stile-free routes to well-surfaced trails suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users. Major sites often have easy-access trails, visitor centres, cafés and some even offer free loan of all-terrain mobility vehicles. So don’t let the thought of tough landscapes put you off; instead, take a look at our recommendations for easy visits and explorations. Link to the website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Cole Green Way runs from Hertford to Welwyn Garden City along the path of a former railway and caters for cyclists, horse-riders and walkers.The path starts by Hertford Football Club and there are entrance and exit points at a number of points along the way. There is also a picnic spot at the site of the former Cole Green Station. Most of the surface is self binding aggregate, with the final 1km at the western end at Welwyn Garden City being tarmac - from the Discover Hertford Online website. We have two walks that could be joined by a mobility scooter at the car park access ram and then enjoyed until they leave the Cole Green Way. They are Walk 174 Hertford to Cole Green (between points 4 and 3) and a large part of the northern section of Walk 149 Cole Green Way Loop (from point 1 to 2 and also from point 1 to 10), again joining it at the Cole Green Station car park ramp.

Ebury Way is a 3.5 mile traffic-free route through lakes and fields, linking Rickmansworth and Watford following the route of an old railway line. Path shared with walkers and cyclists. Ideal for family cycling. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Disabled walkers can open gates using RADAR keys - from the Chilterns Conservation Board website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

The Gorhambury Drive in St Albans includes permissive paths leading from Bluehouse Hill, Beech Tree Lane and Redbourn Road. The main part of the drive is metalled. It is normally open between 8am and 6pm but may be closed at the owner’s discretion at any time - from the Gorhambury Drive website.

Heartwood Forest is managed by The Woodland Trust and has several paved paths from the car park, and users have reported that electric-powered wheelchairs can navigate parts of the routes. See the Heartwood Forest website for a map. We have several routes that start in the free car park at Heartwood including Walk 162: Heartwood Forest Short Loop.

Leavesden Country Park is a Green Flag awarded park accessible and welcoming. The website says: "Whether it’s heritage, wildlife, play, cycle or stop for a coffee, Leavesden Country Park has something to make everyone happy. Visitors can enjoy the Woodlands Café, exciting play areas, cycle hub, inclusive sensory garden, and outdoor sports facilities. See Parks Herts for more details. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Oxhey Woods is a one hundred hectare woodland with an easy access sculpture trail just waiting to be explored. The local nature reserve has an easy access circular walk of 1km, which starts and ends at the car park. The trail has a firm surface and is suitable for young families with buggies, wheelchair users and those less mobile - from the Three Rivers District Council website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Rye Meads Nature Reserve is a delightful wetland reserve is a firm favourite with walkers, birdwatchers and photographers thanks to its many trails and hides. Mobility scooter - available for hire, free of change, bookable in advance. Manual push wheelchair for hire, free of charge, bookable in advance. Access the trails through the visitor centre by a hard path. Paths linking the hides are generally flat with some grass areas, Some parts of the paths are narrow, but passing places are provided. Paths are level and low gradient ramps are provided for bridges. Seating available along paths. Visitor Centre - One level with step-free access throughout" - from the RSPB website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Waterside Stortford is a riverside and countryside trail passing through Bishop’s Stortford. The trail features twenty-one information boards along its length showing its history and wildlife. Cycle or stroll through the 3.5 mile trail enjoying beautiful relaxing views of the water, nature and wildlife. Waterside Stortford winds gently through the valley of a chalk stream and the canal scenes of the Stort Navigation. The way is flat, unfenced, has country gates but no stiles, and it may be muddy after and during wet weather. From Bat Willow Hurst southbound to Grange Paddocks the trail is partly unpaved with field boundaries, which would be unsuitable for buggies and wheelchair users. Those with buggies and wheelchairs can start the trail from Grange Paddocks heading towards the Town Centre and onwards to Twyford Mill (or vice versa) - from the Bishop's Stortford Town Council website. (these routes have not been tested by Hertfordshire Walker)

Shopping scooters

A former walker and now mobility scooter user, whose email to this site prompted the creation of this list, adds that the suggested routes (above) will suit most road-worthy mobility scooters.

For those who would like to use their shopping scooters he recommends trying some of the tracks around the lakes in Verulamium Park, St Albans, the metalled section through Sherrardspark Wood in Welwyn Garden City, which features in our Walk 230: Welwyn Garden City Short Loop (the entire route is along a cycle track) and in Walk 223: Sherrardspark Wood Loop (between points 6 and 7 and between points 20 and 21), or around the lakes in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage.

Have we missed any?

If you have any suggestions of accessible countryside routes not mentioned in the list please add a comment below or join the discussion on our friendly members-only Hertfordshire Walker Facebook group.

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