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Dartmoor Blog
Dartmoor4 July 2011
Dartmoor Tramper Trips
An innovative new partnership is providing the opportunity for people with mobility problems to explore the beauty of Dartmoor National Park in a series of special guided trips using rugged off-road ‘Tramper’ mobility scooters. Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Countryside Mobility South West Scheme (CMSW) are running two days of guided Tramper trips. The first Tramper day is on Tuesday 26 July at Haytor.
Join National Park Rangers and CMSW for a guided trip around the Haytor Rock area to discover how the granite Tor’s of Dartmoor were formed and how the valuable stone was extracted from nearby quarries. Learn about the wildlife that now inhabits this area and take in the wonderful views.
The route is challenging in places with some steep slopes and rugged and bumpy ground and so is recommended for experienced and confident Tramper users only.
Accessible parking and toilets are available at the start of the route at the National Park Information Centre Haytor. Please bring warm clothes and waterproofs whatever the weather. Trips run from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm or 2:00pm - 4:30 pm.
The second Tramper day is based in the Princetown area and is on Tuesday 9 August with trips running at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm or 2:00pm - 4:30 pm.
Enjoy a less challenging route along the track of the historic Princetown to Plymouth railway, visiting the old granite quarries at Foggintor and Swelltor with fantastic views into Cornwall and down to the coast at Plymouth.
The majority of the route is on level ground but is bumpy in places. There are also some more challenging optional sections that can be missed out.
Accessible parking and toilets are available at the start of the route in Princetown. Please bring warm clothes and waterproofs whatever the weather.
If you are unsure whether these trips are suitable for you, please contact CMSW. Trampers are available to CMSW members and must be booked in advance. To book a place please phone 01392 456522 or email info@countrysidemobility.org for more details.
Ends
For further information from CMSW
James Maben, Countryside Mobility SW Project Manager
Tel: 01392 456522
Mobile: 07540 722311
For further information from Dartmoor National Park Authority
Andrew Watson, Principal Access and Ranger Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: 01626 831057
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: 01626 831045
Notes for Editors
Dartmoor National Park Authority aims to make recreational facilities available to as many people as possible. All visitors and residents of the National Park should be able to enjoy and experience Dartmoor, no matter what their level of ability.
The Authority has Information Centres at Haytor, Princetown and Postbridge with accessible toilets and facilities for disabled people.
Dartmoor has walks to suit everyone, no matter what your experience, level of fitness, or mobility. The Authority along with Dartmoor for All have produced the Easy-Going Dartmoor publication which can help those who are less mobile or who have very young children, make the most of what Dartmoor National Park has to offer.
The Authority has produced audio walks, and a Princetown Ramble which can be enjoyed with a Tramper.
The Countryside Mobility scheme is working to improve access to the countryside for people with limited mobility living in and visiting the South West region. The scheme is managed by Living Options Devon (LOD). For more information visit www.livingoptions.org.
The scheme is being supported with a grant from Natural England as part of its Access to Nature programme, funded from the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.
Dartmoor National Park Authority’s purposes under the Environment Act 1995 are:
• to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park;
• to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public.
In carrying out this work, we are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site.You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Subscribe to Dartmoor National park Authority News.For News Releases from all UK National Parks visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk (external website, opens new window).
There are 15 members of the National Parks family in the UK: Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Broads. National Parks are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 34,500 people live in Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
