As a wheelchair user, accessing forests and nature trails can often be a challenge due to various barriers. Therefore, discovering new wheelchair-accessible walks in Scotland is always a delight, allowing me to enjoy outdoor adventures. One such spot is the Dunmore Trail, located in Faskally Woods near Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire.
This wheelchair-friendly walk around Loch Dunmore has quickly become one of my favorites. Allow me to share more about it.
Faskally Woods
Faskally Woods is a stunning woodland area situated within Tay Forest Park on the banks of Loch Dunmore in Perthshire. The forest is home to over 20 different tree species, including wild cherry, oak, Douglas fir, and Scots pine, and is located just one mile northwest of Pitlochry.
Initially established in the 19th century as a model woodland by the owners of Faskally House, the property later functioned as a school for young foresters. Today, the woods provide a tranquil retreat for nature lovers, featuring a short circular path that is wheelchair accessible along the lovely Loch Dunmore.
Additionally, every October, Faskally Woods hosts the enchanting nighttime event known as the Enchanted Forest — a captivating audio-visual experience. You can read my review regarding its accessibility below.
Disabled Parking at Faskally Woods
Upon entering Faskally Woods, we veered left along a narrow road until we reached the car park. If my memory serves me well, there was one accessible parking bay, allowing ample space on either side for entering and exiting my wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV). There is a ticket machine for parking, but Blue Badge holders park for free.
Faskally Woods also has another car park with additional disabled parking spaces located right by Loch Dunmore, making it an excellent option for quick access to the trail.
From this car park, you can enjoy stunning views of the loch without leaving your vehicle. To locate this car park, simply turn right upon entering Faskally Woods.
Wheelchair Accessible Walk around Faskally Woods
We set off to explore the Dunmore Trail and I was immediately taken by the serene atmosphere and the beauty surrounding us. My previous visit to Faskally Woods was for the Enchanted Forest event a few years back, which offered a completely different experience as it took place in the dark.
A steep tarmac path leads down to the trail from the car park. I was able to manage it in my powerchair, but manual wheelchair users might find the gradient challenging, especially on the return trip to the car park. To avoid the steep incline, I recommend parking in the car park on the right as you enter Faskally Woods.
At the end of the path is a map displaying the Faskally Trails, indicating your current location and detailing the two trails available in the forest. The Dunmore Trail is the designated wheelchair-accessible path, labeled as ‘easy’, while the Forester’s Trail is categorized as ‘moderate’ and features uneven gravel, slopes, and rugged terrain.
The Dunmore Trail is described as a “gentle scenic path through the majestic trees surrounding Loch Dunmore,” offering a firm, mostly smooth gravel surface with some slightly uneven areas. The trail includes several short, moderate slopes and is ¾ mile (1.2 km) long.
Visiting the forest on a beautiful summer day was exactly what I needed, with the perfect temperature and sunlight creating gorgeous shadows on the forest path, enhancing the tranquility that beckoned us to explore further.
It didn’t take us long to reach the loch, where we paused to soak in the breathtaking surroundings. The views of the loch from various points along the trail were magnificent, providing ample opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty. The water lilies were in full bloom, and the forest was lush and green all around us.
A level-access wooden bridge offers a shortcut if you’d like to cross it, or it can serve as a perfect spot to pause, admire the loch, and capture some photos, just as we did.
Instead of crossing the bridge, we opted to take the entire trail, eventually passing the wooden bridge again later.
We kept a lookout for wildlife, as Faskally Woods is home to kingfishers, herons, and goldeneye ducks. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any during our visit, but I’m hopeful for next time.
The terrain is described as firm and smooth, just as I found it. Navigating Faskally Woods in my powerchair was very comfortable and relaxing.
Although tree roots are typical in wooded areas, I was pleased to discover that the paths were quite flat, making for an enjoyable experience.
Accessible Toilets at Faskally Woods
There is a wooden toilet block in the car park featuring two toilets, one of which is accessible. The layout of the accessible toilet accommodates left-side transfers, with a pull-down grab bar and fixed grab bars next to the sink.
While Faskally Woods does not feature a Changing Places toilet, Atholl Centre in Pitlochry provides a Changing Places facility located just a five-minute drive away.
Check out my Instagram Reel of Faskally Woods
Final Thoughts on Faskally Woods
If you’re in search of a scenic and wheelchair-accessible walk in Perthshire, the Dunmore Trail won’t disappoint. The length of the trail strikes the perfect balance — not too long but not too short, with smooth and easy-to-navigate paths ideal for my power wheelchair.
While some forests and nature trails can pose challenges for wheelchair users, I truly enjoyed the ease with which I could explore and navigate the paths at Faskally Woods. Though we visited in early summer, I believe autumn would also provide a lovely backdrop to experience the changing foliage. The paths should remain manageable even if conditions are a bit wet.
This is definitely a place worth visiting if you’re in the area and searching for a pleasant, easy walk in nature that is wheelchair accessible.
Looking for more wheelchair accessible walks in Scotland? Explore some of my top picks below:
Doune Ponds | Wheelchair Accessible Walk in Doune, Perthshire
Linlithgow Loch | A Wheelchair Accessible Walk in West Lothian, Scotland
Where Next: You Might Also Enjoy
Wheelchair Accessible Cruises on the Iconic Steamship Sir Walter Scott at Loch Katrine
Explore Anstruther and St Andrews with This Accessible Day Trip Guide
Scotland’s Accessible Beaches: Discovering St Andrews West Sands via a Beach Wheelchair
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