If you are an outdoor lover but have limited mobility, you may think that your days of enjoying the out-of-doors are over. This doesn’t have to be the case. I found a delightful book titled “Accessible Trails in Washington’s Backcountry,” that was put together by The Washington Trails Association. I was pleased to discover that there are trails available that everyone can enjoy. With a little research you will be able to find gentle paths that access beautiful scenic vistas.
Whether you are confined to a wheelchair, a grandparent exploring trails with a toddler, visually impaired, or just a traveler looking for a pleasant stroll, there are easy trails for you.
Many Americans long to enjoy the wilderness experience but are physically not able to manage rough and tumble mountain trails. You don’t have to be very old before an 8-10 mile hike becomes an exhausting experience. Hiking is rated as being one of the most popular recreational activities, but a large segment of the population is unable to get to or use the average hiking trail. Nearly one in three Americans over 65 has some form of disability, and when one family member cannot participate the entire family is affected.
In the past, facilities were all designed for the average person, but thanks to a series of federal laws, more and more of them are being made accessible for all. The U.S. Forest Service has been addressing accessibility issues and has been focusing on the universal design approach.
Many trails today are open and accessible for all outdoor enthusiasts. With newly designed equipment, disabled persons can enjoy bicycling, cross-country skiing, marathons and even rock climbing.
Accessible Trail Guidebooks evaluate trails by degree of difficulty, distances, gradient, surface, when to go, parking and restroom facilities. Many of the trails listed are hard packed or paved and can bear a lot of traffic. A surprising number of trails are accessible to all.
As with any other hiking it is important that you be adequately prepared. Always carry extra clothing, extra food, sunglasses, insect repellent, knife, fire starter, first-aid kit, matches, flashlight, map, compass, and cell phone. So, whether you are just looking for a quarter of a mile paved trail to a view point or something more adventuresome, there is a trail for you.
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