THIS year’s Ross Walking Festival is set to be the most accessible festival to date with a range of inclusive walking opportunities designed for everyone.

A major feature of this year’s festival, which runs from September 27 to 29, is the introduction of off-road wheelchair-accessible events, organised by the Wye Valley National Landscapes team, formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Collaborating with Craig Grimes from Experience Community, the team has scouted suitable routes for off-road wheelchair rambles. Mr Grimes will lead two inaugural walks: one near Tintern north of Ross-on-Wye and one one near Tintern. These full-day excursions aim to provide a rich exploration experience for wheelchair users. 

To support these walks, a ‘Have a Go Day’ will be held where participants can try out off-road wheelchairs, meet current users, and discuss equipment with mobility suppliers. This is the first time the team has organised such an event, and it is hoped that it will lead to long-term improvements in accessibility. 

The region may not have extensive smooth-surfaced tracks, but this event will highlight the many barrier-free footpaths, forest tracks, and lanes accessible with the right off-road wheelchairs. 

The festival has built on the Ross Walkers are Welcome programme to upgrade stiles to gates throughout the local area, enhancing access to footpaths for everyone, including those with dogs. The festival will feature over 11 stile-free guided walks out of a total of 28. 

These walks will cover various interests such as bird watching, local history, and scenic outings, including cream teas, lunch, and river cruises. There are also walks that utilise the local Daffodil Line bus service to further aid accessibility.