A series of online guides featuring countryside walks suitable for wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and the visually impaired are now available to download free of charge.

Cumbria County Council’s countryside access team has been working with partners across the county to identify routes (outside of the two national parks) that are suitable for those with limited mobility.

And following this work, easy-to-use guides/leaflets have been created for four access-for-all routes in different areas of the county.

The guides feature walks in and around Appleby Riverside, Longlands Lake near Egremont, Miltonrigg Woods near Brampton and Westfield Trail near Barrow.

Selected for their easy terrain, relatively short distances, attractive views and lack of obstacles such as stiles, the walks showcase some of the best Cumbria’s great outdoors has to offer and the guides are clear, detailed and contain maps and background information about the areas they cover.

All can be enjoyed by anyone from families with children in prams or toddlers to wheelchair users and those with other mobility issues.

Various organisations have contributed their time and effort to helping the countryside access team produce the guides including Cumbria Local Access Forum, Allerdale Disability Association, the Woodlands Trust and the county council’s countryside volunteer and property services teams.

Councillor Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for countryside access, said: "Cumbria has some of the most fantastic walks and views not only in Britain but of anywhere in Europe and they are there to be enjoyed by everybody from hardened walkers and ramblers to those who can only take things at a more leisurely pace.

"I’m sure these leaflets are going to be useful for helping people who might otherwise find it difficult to get out and about in the rural areas of our beautiful county to enjoy what our countryside has to offer." 

The guides are available on the countryside access pages of Cumbria County Council’s website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/countryside-access/miles_without_stiles/Miles_without_Stiles.asp

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330.