Start with a visit to the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, the gateway to Queen Elizabeth Forest park in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. There’s plenty to do, including a café, shop, wildlife room, exhibition space and Go Ape, plus an all-ability trail that leads through the trees to a dramatic waterfall. Follow the pretty trail dotted with reflective artworks – and don’t forget to watch out for red squirrels and ospreys along the way. If you don’t see any, check out the live cameras in the visitor centre to see if you can spot these shy creatures.

There is step-free access via a ramp to double width automatic doors at the main entrance of the Lodge. The ramp also accesses a terrace with picnic tables and visitor information to the side of the visitor centre. The all-ability trail starts directly outside the visitor centre and comprises a wide, firm gravel surface, with some loose stones, a gentle slope and a short section of uneven boardwalk. Mobility scooters are available to borrow (depending on availability).

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Ready for some more fresh air and exercise? The Wheels Cycle Centre near Callander is your next stop. Here, you can hire bikes that are suitable for all ages and abilities. With up to 500 bikes available, they have one of the largest hire bike fleets in the UK. The centre also specialises in supplying equipment for people with specific needs, including tandem bikes, side-by-side bikes, wheelchair bikes, wheelchair transporter cycles and more. For those who need a little help, electric bikes are also available to hire.

Once you’ve chosen the right bikes for you, explore the cycle route towards Strathyre. This gentle, flat, off-road route passes through stunning countryside on the nine-mile cycle to the picturesque village. Take the afternoon to complete the circuit back to Callander.

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The pretty town of Callander is a great place to base yourself for the evening, with lots to do, see and eat. There has been a lot of work done recently to improve accessibility, including more handrails and ramps being installed at a number of establishments. It sits on the River Teith amid some beautiful scenery, and many paths are flat, wide and accessible to all. Explore the historic centre and enjoy a browse around the shops stocking a wide range of local goods and gifts.

You’re likely to be hungry after your busy day, and you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you fancy cheap and cheerful or fine dining, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, many with accessible facilities.

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Briarlands Farm at Blair Drummond is a terrific place to spend the morning. There are loads of activies on offer, and most of them are outside in the fresh air. The funyard offers plenty for kids and adults, including football golf, a zip wire, swings, archery, and tractor and trailer rides. Animal lovers will love seeing and even feeding some of the animals. And if you’re lucky enough to visit in strawberry season, try picking your own – grown in polytunnels at waist height, they’re nice and easy to pick.  

Rainy day? No problem. There are plenty of options inside, including a craft area with ceramic painting, sand art and decopatch, and an indoor soft play and play area. Whatever the weather, when you’re ready for a spot of lunch, the Farmer’s Den Tearoom has a great selection of light meals and baking, often using produce sourced from local suppliers.

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COVID Update: All tickets must now be pre-booked before you visit. All outdoor activities are available, but please keep checking our website for details of indoor activities.

Just a short drive away, Kings Park in Stirling is a popular place to spend a few hours, with plenty to do whether you want to use some of the facilities or simply enjoy the peaceful green space. Facilities here include tennis courts, a playpark, a floodlit skatepark and an outdoor gym. In the summer months, there’s a kiosk selling ice-creams and coffees, and there are ample picnic tables and seating if you want to bring a picnic. Near the main entrance to the park you’ll find a drinking fountain dating back to the early-to-mid 20th century.

The park is abundent with a glorious variety of trees, wildflowers and wildlife, and the best way to enjoy them is by using the paths within the park. You’ll also get incredible views of Stirling Castle, the city skyline, the Ochil Hills, Hillfoots, Cambusbarron and Gillies Hill. The park’s paths are suitable for wheelchair users, with a sealed, even surface – but avoid the informal path network in the wider park as they’re uneven and not sealed. This also ensures you avoid the golf course, which makes up some of the park.

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Roughly 25 minutes drive from Kings Park you will find Cloybank Estate which has a fishery, play park, animal area, putting greens, airgun/rifle club and coffee shop.

The animal areas are home to Alpacas, Highland Cows, pygmy goats plus loads more, all accessed by a tarmacked path from the car park. Once in the enclosure the paths are hard but can be slightly bumpy. The USPGA quality short game areas are fully accessible with no steps, wheelchair friendly and only ten yards from the main car park. The ground at the well-stocked trout fishery at lochans is flat with seats and benches if needed. Long handled nets are available and good sized flat casting platforms. You can also walk down to the fishery from the main car park (distance 150 yards). The walk is down a slight hill with hardcore gravel but may be slightly difficult on the way back.

To access the Cloybank air rifle range which is approx. 500 yards from the main car park, wheelchair users are advised to use their vehicles. The range itself has wide doors and there is a suspended bench with nothing below it, designed especially for wheelchair users. There is an obstacle free shooting area, and they also have specially trained instructors for those who are blind or partially sighted.

There are also plenty of paths around the site if you want to have a walk and take in some of the fantastic views of the Kelvin Valley and after trying out the activities enjoy lunch or a snack in the on-site café.

Cloybank staff are “ability aware” and always on hand for help or information. All facilities are on the ground floor or outside and are easy to access. The café has wide doors, well-lit with stickers on any low level glazing. Plenty of water on hand for assistance dogs to make sure they don’t get thirsty. For anyone with an extra wide wheelchair there is a very wide toilet next to the café.

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The famous John Muir Way is a coast-to-coast route that runs 134 miles across central Scotland from Helensburgh to Dunbar, John Muir’s birthplace. The route takes you across the Forth Valley from Banknock right through to Bo’ness.

Callendar Estate forms part of the John Muir Way and after spending time here you can follow the route on foot towards Bonnybridge or drive to visit Bonnyfield Nature Reserve. Situated on the former Bonnyfield sand and gravel quarry just to the north of the Bonny Water, it’s a large area offering natural habitat to a wide range of plants and animals.

A 2.5km loop path leads you around the site with many shorter routes also available. There are plenty of benches if you want to have a rest and enjoy the natural surroundings and the wide gravel paths are suitable for wheelchairs and powerchairs.

The nature park contains a large colourful community mural created by Bonnybridge school children, cubs and scouts and the Nature Reserve management group. A bus service to and from Bonnyfield is available from Falkirk and surrounding areas.

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Start your day immersed in wildlife at the Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire. Situated about 20 minutes drive from Stirling, at the heart of the 370-acre park is the Gartmorn Dam, believed to be Scotland’s oldest reservoir. There’s a circular path that runs right around the water, flanked by peaceful woodland and offering stunning views to the Ochills. This peaceful haven is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is excellent for wildlife – if you’re lucky you might spot woodpeckers, roe deer, hare and red squirrels, as well as various wildfowl.

The path around the reservoir starts at the small café which has accessible toilets, outdoor seating and plenty of parking. Most of the circuit around the dam is level on firm paths, but there are some steps and areas with narrow paths and steeper gradients.  

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After spending the morning at Gartmorn Dam, take a short drive towards the velvet slopes of the Ochil Hills through the pretty village of Dollar to Cowden. There you’ll find another outdoor experience not to be missed - the stunning Japanese Garden at Cowden Castle. Built by Scottish adventurer Ella Christie and designed by Taki Handa, these seven-acre gardens were created in 1908 in the grounds of Cowden Castle. The tranquil gardens consist of several acres of Japanese-influenced landscape with a perimeter path around a small loch. Closed to the public in 1955 and left to fall into disrepair, the garden has recently undergone intensive restoration. Led by the renowned Japanese architect and garden designer Professor Masao Fukuhara, a team of experts is bringing the garden back to life.

Start your visit with lunch at the busy tearoom that serves a range of delicious homemade light bites, hot meals and baking. Once refreshed, it’s time to enjoy the peace and beauty of these historic gardens. Most of the paths are accessible for wheelchair users to enjoy, though they can be a little bumpy and uneven in parts, and the Woodland Walk is not suitable for wheelchairs. There is one wheelchair available to hire if required please email prior to visit to arrange.

COVID Update - Pre-booking is highly recommended. Social distancing measures and hand sanitisers are in place throughout the garden.

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Start this action-packed day at Callendar Estates and choose from six different walking and bike trails that run through the rolling countryside and woodland here. Packed with wildlife like deer, badgers and tawny owls, there’s lots to see and do.

You can rent a bike from Greenrigg Cycles at Greenrigg Car Park and take a cycle around the woods following the marked trails. There are also clearly marked walking trails that explore fascinating local history and wildlife. Download a map online or get one from Greenrigg Cycles then follow the colour coded trails and information plaques. Some paths are wide and flat, while others go through rougher ground. Ask at the cycle centre which one best suits you.

After exploring the trails around the estate, back at the car park, the Café at Canada Wood is a fantastic spot for a coffee and cake or some lunch. If it’s a nice day, make the most of the outdoor seating area and enjoy the incredible views towards the Ochil hills. Depending on how hungry you are, choose from a scrumptious range of deli boards, salads, sandwiches, hearty meals and baked goods – all freshly made.

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Once you reach the Falkirk Wheel, there are a wide range of outdoor options to choose from. With boat trips, activities including canoeing, bike hire, mini golf, paddleboarding and segway safaris there is something for everyone.

If you want to explore further afield, then take a tour of Rough Castle and the remains of the Roman Antonine Wall. The walk takes 15 minutes from the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre and segway tours are available for those with good mobility. With wide paths, the area is wheelchair accessible. It’s a good option for the afternoon and you can get back to the car park at Callendar Estates from here.

Love a selfie? Then the four mile Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail was made for you. Created by Scottish Canals to encourage more people to get out and explore, the trail runs from The Falkirk Wheel to The Kelpies along the Forth & Clyde Canal. There are maps available of the trail to tell you more about the history of the canal and the engineering that went into creating these two impressive structures. The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift, and the Kelpies are the largest equine sculpture in the world, so both are well worth seeing. There are five selfies to capture along the way, and the trail runs on the canal towpath, which is generally flat and level.

From the Kelpies, you can either walk back to the Wheel or there are local buses and taxis available for your return journey.

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