Everyone should be able to enjoy the pleasures of walking no matter their ability. Being blind or partially sighted shouldn’t be a barrier. It just means the walk will take a bit of extra planning. Here are some helpful tips and advice if you are blind or partially sighted or if you’re walking with someone with sight impairment.  

 
Walking with a blind or partially sighted person 

While blind or partially sighted people may feel comfortable walking freely and independently around their local area or in built up areas, walking in the countryside or on paths with uneven surfaces and obstacles may prove more difficult.   Walking downhill can be trickier than walking uphill, so if you are planning a route try to avoid too many downhill stretches, or allow extra time. 

Read our 10 tips on guiding a blind or partially sighted person.

 

Guide dogs 

Guide dogs are often usually trained for urban streets and so may be of less help on country walks. Dogs may have problems with stiles and gates so you may want to plan for a more accessible route. As with all dogs, guide dogs must be kept under close control near livestock. 

 

Walking routes  

Our online library of Ramblers Routes includes Easy and Easy Access routes which may be a good place to start.  You can also find your local Ramblers group and enquire whether they have group walks that would be suitable for a blind or partially sighted person.  

Marika Kovacs, has a visual impairment and is a Ramblers member.  She shares her experiences of walking and leading Ramblers walks

 

Walk magazine 

The Ramblers’ magazine Walk is available to members as an audio book.  Get in touch with us for the latest copy. 

 

Check the walk is suitable for you 

Every walk and every walker are different. We don’t make assumptions about somebody’s ability to take part. If you are doing a Ramblers walk for the first time, we encourage you to contact the walk leader to discuss whether it is right for you. You can also discuss any requirements you may have.  The walk leader will consider whether any reasonable adjustments can be made to the walk to make it suitable for you.   

You’ll find the walk leader’s contact details as part of the walk listing on our website. If it turns out that the walk won’t be suitable, and it’s not possible to make reasonable adjustments the group should be able to help you find other Ramblers walks in the area. 

 

Take your first steps to being more active, with confidence   

If you are new to walking, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are ideal for getting started with walking and staying active. Support from trained walk leaders helps you take those first steps towards being more active. And you’ll be amongst a friendly bunch all walking for their own reasons - whether to ward off illness, manage health conditions or boost wellbeing.  Contact your local Ramblers Wellbeing Walks scheme to see if they offer walks suitable for those with sight impairment.  

 Find your local Ramblers Wellbeing Walk.