Dartmoor Mobility Scooter Routes and Tramper Adventures
We often receive messages from people looking for Dartmoor routes suitable for mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and Trampers. Sometimes it's someone hoping to explore with their family. Other times it's a parent or grandparent who wants to join an adventure but needs a little more information about the terrain before heading out.
For us, getting outside is about spending time together, discovering somewhere beautiful and enjoying the little moments along the way. We want as many families as possible to share those experiences.
While we'd love to include routes specifically assessed for mobility equipment within Dartmoor Partner, we're not quite there yet. Thankfully, some fantastic organisations already do important work across Dartmoor, and we'd like to help you find them.
For more on accessible family outings, see our existing Dartmoor accessibility guide. This article focuses on powered mobility equipment.
Dartmoor mobility scooter routes and accessible places to explore
One of the best starting points is Dartmoor National Park Authority's Miles Without Stiles collection: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor/miles-without-stiles . These routes have been assessed with accessibility in mind, including their surfaces and gradients. Suitability varies by route and by equipment, so please read the official descriptions carefully.
Brent Island, South Brent
A short riverside option of up to 1km, listed as For All and Category 1 by Disabled Ramblers. There are surfaced paths, river views and opportunities for a gentler family outing. Check the official route information for current conditions, parking and facilities: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor/miles-without-stiles-brent-island
Burrator Arboretum
This woodland circuit, approximately 800 metres to 1km, is another For All, Category 1 route. It offers a mix of surfaced trails, woodland and ponds, with management by South West Lakes Trust. The official guidance is here: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor/miles-without-stiles-burrator-arboretum
Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam
The Miles Without Stiles collection includes the valley route towards Avon Dam, listed as For All, Category 1. The landscape feels wonderfully open, with the River Avon nearby for much of the journey. Check the official guidance for the distance, surface and the suitability of your particular equipment before travelling.
Bellever Forest and Postbridge
Bellever offers forest scenery and tracks through the trees. Dartmoor National Park Authority also runs a dedicated Tramper hire experience from Postbridge Visitor Centre, with a trail of approximately 4km through Bellever Forest. Some sections are unsurfaced, and hire requirements apply. See https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/outdoor-activities/accessible-dartmoor/tramper-hire for booking and current details.
Yarner Wood
Yarner Wood has a woodland Miles Without Stiles circuit of around 2km, graded For Many, Category 2/3. This is a route to investigate for more capable outdoor mobility equipment rather than assume it suits every scooter. Please consult the National Park's current accessibility assessment.
Lydford Gorge
The National Trust has offered Tramper hire at Lydford Gorge during its main visiting season. Routes and surfaces vary, with steep sections in this dramatic landscape. Confirm the current hire arrangement and accessibility guidance directly with the National Trust before visiting: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/lydford-gorge/accessibility-at-lydford-gorge
The people helping make Dartmoor more accessible
It's important to recognise the organisations and people who have already put time into this work. Dartmoor National Park Authority's Recreation and Access Team has worked with the Dartmoor Wheeled Access Group on accessibility assessments and routes. The group brings together people with lived experience of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, alongside supporters and experienced guides.
Their firsthand understanding matters. Even relatively small changes to gates, tracks and crossings can make a real difference. The group has worked alongside land managers and organisations across Dartmoor to help open up opportunities for people using mobility equipment. Find out more at https://www.dartmoorwags.org/ .
Why we don't currently provide specialist mobility routes
Every walk on Dartmoor Partner is personally explored and checked by our family. We look at distance, terrain, gradients and practical details to help families make confident decisions. But checking a family walk isn't the same as confirming a route is suitable for mobility equipment.
Mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and specialist Trampers vary enormously. Ground clearance, width, wheelbase, turning space, traction and climbing ability all affect what is practical. Conditions on Dartmoor can change too. Rain, mud, exposed stones and vegetation can transform a track between seasons.
We don't currently have the range of specialist equipment, experienced testers, funding or capacity for ongoing assessments that this would require. Rather than recommend something without that confidence, we'd prefer to be transparent and direct people to organisations already equipped to advise.
What we'd love to build in the future
We'd genuinely love to help make more Dartmoor adventures accessible to families exploring together. Our ambition is to open conversations with Dartmoor National Park Authority, accessibility groups and experienced testers about what a properly assessed collection might look like. We aren't suggesting any formal partnership is already in place.
Doing this responsibly would take specialist knowledge, different kinds of equipment, route testing, ongoing reviews and meaningful involvement from the people who would actually use the routes. It would also require funding and support beyond what we can provide alone.
We're open to conversations with local businesses, accommodation providers, outdoor brands, funders and other organisations that might want to support a future accessible routes project. Whether that's financial backing, equipment, specialist experience or a practical collaboration, we'd welcome a chat. We know there is interest because people keep asking us, and we'd love to see that interest become something useful.
Where to find help now
For current guidance, start with Dartmoor National Park Authority's Miles Without Stiles routes, the Dartmoor Wheeled Access Group, Countryside Mobility (https://countrysidemobility.org/ and the National Trust's accessibility information. Check the latest route grading, equipment requirements, booking arrangements and weather conditions with the relevant organisation. No published grading can guarantee every machine will suit every route on every day.
If you work in accessibility, manage specialist outdoor equipment, represent a business interested in supporting this work or simply have useful experience to share, we'd love to hear from you at hello@dartmoorpartner.co.uk.
We're a small family business with a big love for Dartmoor, and we believe more families should be able to experience it together.
Explore more family advice
You might also find Dartmoor with toddlers and prams and our guide to rights and access on Dartmoor useful. Our interactive map features personally checked family walks, but these are not assessed as specialist mobility routes.
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