Walking routes
Numerous health conditions can affect where and how far we can walk; walks that are too long, have too steep a slope or a stile that is too high or too narrow can really affect our enjoyment of a day out in the country and can lead to anxiety and reluctance to explore new places.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walks around Belper and to be able to use this website to find them. The variety of health conditions means we can’t create bespoke walks for every one, so have tried to find walks that as many people as possible can do, and provide enough information to let you decide if a route is right for you.
Walking videos
Videos allow much more information to be shown than from maps or written route descriptions and allow people worried about getting lost, stuck, tired or hurt on a walk to preview the route to:
- check the length, gradient and surfacing
- spot obstacles like gates and stiles that could block the way for you or your dog
- check for roads, dangerous drops and trip hazards
The videos also let you see:
- Views, scenery and places of interest
- Where the refreshment and toilet stops are on the route
- Where to park and how much this costs
Weather and time of year can affect the conditions of a route, and landowners can sometimes block or change a route so always be prepared and please let us know if a route has changed since filming.
Website accessibility
Numerous health conditions also affect how we perceive information and interact with websites, particularly on phones. Conditions can be permanent such as a detached retina or tremor; temporary such as a cataract or broken arm; or situational such as not having your glasses or carrying a tired youngster whilst trying to use your phone.
1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair some or all of the time, more than 2 million live with some degree of sight loss and 46% of people over 65 live with a disabling health condition. You can learn more facts and figures about disability on the Scope website and about sight loss on the RNIB website.
We have tried to make this website as accessible as possible and aim to include walks of varying lengths and levels of difficulty, so everyone can exercise in and enjoy the outdoors close to our wonderful town. Please let us know if you’ve had difficulty accessing some of the information on the website.
Videos too quick?
If you find the YouTube videos are too quick, you can slow them down by clicking the video window and then on the cog icon in the bottom and then Playback speed. You may want to turn the sound down or off as the music will slow down too.
Know an accessible route?
We would love to list more accessible routes around Belper so please get in touch if you know any well-surfaced easy access routes nearby without stiles, steps or steep gradients and let us know whether it is accessible to all, many and some following the Miles Without Stiles guidance below:
All Gradients no more than 1:10. Tarmac or small compact stone surface. Suitable for pushchairs and unassisted wheelchairs.
Many Gradients up to 1:8 . Stone surface of 4cm diameter or less. Suitable for assisted wheelchairs and more robust, all-terrain type equipment.
Some Gradients greater than 1:8 having improved surface or handrails. Stone surface less than 10cm in diameter, steps or breaks less than 10cm in height. Suitable for robust all-terrain type equipment and off-road mobility vehicles