RADAR
Fun for All
Truly accessible hiking means everyone can connect with nature.
By Dick Snyder
In slow-motion, a man navigates a woodland trail in his wheelchair. | BACKGROUND VIDEO: MRSYSTEM/iSTOCK
HIKING CAN BE ONE OF the most accessible outdoor activities. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment and you can choose your level of difficulty. But accessibility means different things to different people, and for folks who use a mobility aid, going for a hike might seem out of reach.
Think again, says Spencer West, a Toronto-based disability advocate and author. The double amputee climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2012, helping to raise half a million dollars for charity work in East Africa.
“What makes an accessible trail for me — and I don’t pretend to speak for all disabled people — is where I can use my wheelchair with ease and there are no barriers,” he says. West has visited almost every province and territory. Accuracy in trail descriptions is important, he notes, so mobility-aid users can properly evaluate them before setting out.
“What makes an accessible trail for me — and I don’t pretend to speak for all disabled people — is where I can use my wheelchair with ease and there are no barriers.”
Well-designed trails help ensure that everyone — including Spencer West, his partner Mario Hinse and their dog, Céline — can access outdoor spaces. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF SPENCER WEST
There are sections devoted to accessible trails, walks and campsites at Conservation Ontario, as well as at Parks Canada. Local hiking clubs often have online content and blogs with useful information, like distance, duration, elevation and terrain. Hikers can also find trails that are suitable for kids and newbies; some are even dog-friendly.
There is a lot of good work being done for accessibility, West says, and technology is helping, too. He likes the Access Now app, developed in Canada, which makes it easy to find accessible facilities around the world. And thanks to a new device for his wheelchair — a single large wheel that attaches to the front — he’s getting out more than ever. “I forgot what it was like to be in nature and how that felt,” he says. And yes, his Shih Tzu, Céline, gets to come along. CAA
Hike here. Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, which is part of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, offers incredible panoramic views of the escarpment and Lake Ontario.
Other accessible trails to explore in the Niagara Region:
- Heartland Forest, Niagara Falls
- The Paleozoic Path, Pelham
- Niagara Parkway: Niagara Glen to the Floral Clock
- Stop 19 Rail Trail, Welland
- Niagara to Grimsby Waterfront Trail
Accessible hiking promotes inclusivity and allows people with mobility challenges to experience the physical and mental health benefits of nature. | PHOTO: MRSYSTEM/iSTOCK