Isle Of Lewis Boardwalk- The Outer Hebrides
Aline Community Woodland- The Most Wheelchair Accessible Walk in the Most Unlikely Place
When travelling in the Outer Hebrides back in 2019 we didn’t expect to find many accessible walking trails because of its naturally rugged and wild landscape, so you can imagine our joy when we discovered the Aline Community Woodland boardwalk!
Not only is this decked walkway wonderfully accessible to wheelchair users, but it’s in a stunningly picturesque location. There, you can stroll amongst the trees, sit by the glistening loch, enjoy the sound of the flowing stream and spot some fascinating wildlife along the way.
How to get there
Aline Community Woodland, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9LE
Coordinates: 58.038978, -6.716848
The boardwalk straddles the A859 and is just 3 miles from the Lewis/Harris border. There is a pressed-gravel carpark on the east side of the road with plenty of spaces. From here you have instant access to the eastern walk, or you can simply cross the road to enjoy the western route.
Facilities
In the car park there is a small rest-hut for cyclists and walkers tackling the Hebridean Way tourist route, this has ramped wheelchair access. Just off the carpark is a children’s play park, here there are toilet facilities. Although these toilets aren’t kitted out with grab rails, you can get a wheelchair inside.
Route Details
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Decked boardwalk
Distance: 1 mile
There are two parts to this walk- the east side of the road and the west, both are about 0.5 miles each.
The car park is based on the east side, so it makes sense to start from here, where you can head through a wooden gate and straight onto the path. This is a circular route along the edge of a loch, and has numerous benches to stop at to enjoy the view.
To access the western walk you need to cross the road and head through another wooden gate, then much like the other side you are straight onto the decked boardwalk. After about 50 metres you will come to a ‘T’ junction, if you turn left here you pass over a bridge that straddles a beautiful rocky stream, and if you turn right the path travels up the hill. This route is steeper in places than the eastern route, but at the top of the hill you get spectacular views ... and the journey back down is a lot of fun!
Wildlife To See
The Isle of Lewis is a haven for all kinds of animals, so the Aline Community Woodland is in the perfect spot. While you’re enjoying your stroll keep an eye out for eagles soaring overhead, deer grazing in the trees and otters paddling in the water.
Note: Take care when the ground is wet, the decking can be extremely slippery!