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With a nip in the air, frost on the grass and the seemingly ever-present rain the UK’s come to be known for, you don’t need us to tell you winter has arrived!
Rather than getting outside and enjoying nature, many of us see the darker nights, feel the colder weather and want nothing more than to stay inside, get cosy and enjoy a hot chocolate and some comfort food.
December’s Festival of Winter Walks encourages us all to get out the house and enjoy refreshing walks in the winter landscape. We’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks and wheelchair accessible walking routes to get you out and about this winter.
Getting out in the cold comes with health benefits like better sleep and a boosted immune system and there’s the well documented mental health benefits from getting out in nature too.
Preparing for Your Walk: Choose a Route
If you’re based in the Harrogate District, Leeds, Wakefield, Wharfedale or York, Open Country, a charity dedicated to helping disabled people access the countryside, have created a fantastic range of accessible walking guides named ‘Breakfree’ Trails. These guides have been developed with wheelchair users in mind and include inspiration and information on great places to walk, roll and cycle.
If you’re not located in any of these areas, be sure to check out Euan’s Guide to browse accessible gardens, nature and open spaces in your local area.
But if venturing out into the countryside isn’t your thing, getting out in nature can be as simple as taking a walk around the block, local park or going up and down the garden. As long as you’re out and about and enjoying some fresh air, it doesn’t matter where you go!
Brrrace for the Cold
Our immediate thought when preparing to head out in the winter weather is to wrap up warm, but for many people once they get moving, they quickly warm up. This is especially true if you operate your own manual wheelchair, walk or cycle. A top tip for moving in winter is to wrap-up warm by layering. This will allow you to take clothing off as you warm up and pop back on as you cool down.
And remember whether you’re walking or rolling, always pack a waterproof jacket, even if it looks sunny and dry, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be!
Getting to Your Destination
You might have to drive your wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) to your chosen trail. Before you head off, make sure you’ve filled up your screen wash and packed winter driving essentials like de-icer, phone chargers and even sunglasses for low lying sun! To learn more on how to prep your WAV for winter click here.
Seasonal Snacks
If you’re off on a long outdoor adventure, be sure to pack some seasonal snacks to keep you going. Bring some mince pies, a flask of tea or keep the walk healthy with some fruit and nuts.
Make Your Own Fun
A refreshing walk is always nice but if you fancy some extra fun on your winter adventure, why not try becoming a nature photographer and snap some photos of the winter scenery and any animals and plants you come across? Or you can collect items from your walk to use in art projects like collages when you get home. Get creative and make the most of your outdoor time in whatever way you see fit.
Reward Yourself
What’s a nice bit of exercise or outdoor time, especially in the cold, without something nice to look forward to?
End your winter walk with a nice hot drink or comforting meal, whether at a local pub, restaurant or back home in your PJs, be sure to reward yourself and warm back up with a nice treat!
