Accessible Hiking Trails:
Access For All
By Diane Spicer
Accessible hiking trails are defined as those which allow people of any age or physical condition to enjoy outdoor time and great scenery.
This includes people who:
- use wheelchairs,
- use strollers for transporting small children,
- are rehabilitating after an injury or surgery,
- want to slowly improve physical fitness levels,
- have physical limitations due to aging, pregnancy, or diagnosed medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis or chronic fatigue syndrome.
There are various categories of accessibility, so let's take a look at them.
ADA accessible hiking trails
(barrier free)
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990) ensures that public accommodations are made to provide outdoor access for everyone on newly built hiking trails (among other things it covers).
There are specific guidelines which define accessibility, to ensure wheeled transportation access.
National park accessible trails
The United States national park system is required to provide accessibility via legislation:
- Architectural Barriers Act, 1968
- Rehabilitation Act, 1973
- Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 (see above)
If you are planning to visit a specific national park and are wondering about accessibility for trails and camping, visit that park's website for further information to make your camping and outdoor time plans.
- This link is the place to start.
- Click on the state you plan to visit, select the specific park from the exhaustive list, and read the "Plan Your Visit" information.
You might also be interested in the NPS document describing their five year strategic plan for improving access to outdoor recreation:
Wheelchair accessible hiking trails
in the United States
Need a list of wheelchair accessible asphalt, concrete and crushed limestone surfaced trails, organized by state?
An organization devoted to
accessible outdoor time
for all
The Outdoors For All Foundation's mission statement says it all:
"To enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disability through outdoor recreation."
They keep an active wish list, if you would like to contribute to their mission by providing supplies and gear.
More resources you can use
Cerebral Palsy Guidance has an article with lots of tips on providing accessibility: Enjoying the Great Outdoors with a Physical Disability
- In addition, the article highlights two groups which provide adaptive outdoor adventures in Utah and Colorado.
This Washington Trails Association (WTA) article on accessible trails outlines some of the challenges of providing equal access to hiking trails, and provides accessibility and adaptive trail resources.
If you're hiking in Washington State, use this ADA outdoor recreation map to plan your trips.
For tips on adaptive hiking equipment and techniques, visit Everyone Outdoors.
The Disabled Hiker also has some great tips for the adaptive hiking and backpacking community.
You can also look for recreation programs and resources at Outdoors For All.
Questions about accessible
hiking trails?
Contact me and I'll do my best to find you some answers!
It's important to get every person into fresh air and sunshine, surrounded by the soothing sounds, smells and sights of Nature.
And please share your knowledge of which hiking trails are accessible to all, using that contact link, and I'll add them here.
Thank you!
Home page > Types of Hiking >
Accessible Hiking Trails
MORE HIKING TIPS FOR YOU
Do you notice swollen fingers after hiking? Here's how to tell when it's normal (or not), and what you can do about swollen hands and fingers as a hiker.
Hiking toe problems? Here are tips for swelling, hot spots, blisters, nail problems, calluses, itchiness, odors and all the toe woes a hiker faces.
Lacing hiking boots seems straightforward. But you need these boot lacing tips to prevent blisters, pressure and sliding heels inside your boots.
Do you ever wonder what causes feet to swell inside your hiking boots? Use Hiking For Her's tips to discover how to deal with your swollen feet after hiking.
Hikers rash has some fancy medical terms to describe it, but what you really need are these facts about how to recognize it and what to do about it as a hiker.
Foot injury prevention for hikers involves boots that fit and knowledge of how your feet work during a hike. Plus a little tough love and some self care. Tips here!
Do you experience sore feet after hiking? Try these eleven tips from Hiking For Her to make trail time more about fun than sore feet.
Hiking hygiene for women on the trail can be tricky. Wondering how to handle your body fluids on the trail? Read this for some practical hiking hygiene tips.
Basic skin care for hikers covers what you need to know to keep what covers your body clean and healthy during your hike. Let's get started!
Every hiker wants to stay clean. Hiking For Her shares which female hiker hygiene supplies to carry on your backpacking trip or day hike.
Nature therapy: unplug and go sit in the dirt! It's good for you, and here's why.
Hiking For Her shares the best post hike recovery tips, because being stiff and sore after a hike isn't going to motivate you to put on your boots tomorrow!
Hiking hydration affects your endurance and overall health. Be sure you have enough water before and after a hike.
Hiking inflammation happens to all hikers.Use these Hiking For Her tips for sore muscles, swollen fingers, toes that ache and more post hiking problems.
Hiking soreness, pain and fatigue can be managed with these tips and remedies for fast recovery after a hike.
I get emails all the time about what I wear, eat, carry and love to use on the trail. That's
why I provide affiliate links to you: the best gear that I use myself and have seen used by other hikers is instantly
available for your consideration, and the gear company sends a few
pennies per dollar to this reader-supported hiking website.
There is no added cost to you! Everyone ends up a winner: Great gear for you, strong gear companies, and more free hiking tips for everyone.
Thanks
very much for your support. It's warmly and sincerely appreciated. It
also helps send these hiking tips to all your virtual trail buddies
around the globe.
|
|