What Exactly is an “Accessible” Trail?
Although it’s relatively easy to determine if a building is wheelchair-accessible (stairs vs. a level or ramped entry), it’s a bit more difficult to evaluate the accessibility of a trail. At first glance it might appear that if a wheelchair-user can manage a trail, then it must accessible, right? Well, not exactly, because not all wheelchair-users have the same ability. And then there are slow walkers. What if they can’t manage the trail.
I recently got a message from a woman whose dad couldn’t not manage the Trail of the Cedars at Glacier National Park. He uses a walker and first off she said it was too long for him. Then she added that it wasn’t flat, and asked, “how could a trail be rated as accessible if it isn’t flat?”.
To be honest, that’s a good question. And for that answer, I’ll have to defer to the Department of Justice, as they have a set of standards for “accessible trails”. More specifically, it’s contained in Chapter 10 of the Americans with Disabilities Act Access Guidelines (ADAAG).
How the ADAAG Defines an Accessible Trail
Some accessible trails are short and level; however the ADAAG allows for a bit more variety. The guidelines were developed to offer some diversity, yet still make things manageable for a good percentage of wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And because of this diversity, not all accessible trails will work for everyone. That said, knowing the guidelines – which are listed below – will at least give you the heads-up on what you can expect to find on an accessible trail.
Trail Width
An accessible trail must be at least 36 inches wide; however if the trail is less than 60 inches wide, there must be a passing lane every 1,000 feet.
Cross Slope (Side-to-Side Grade)
An accessible trail must have a cross slope of 5% or less.
Running Slope (Trail Grade)
The grade of an accessible trail must be one or more of the following:
5% or less for any distance.
Up to 8.33% for 200 feet, with resting intervals every 200 feet.
Up to 10% for 30 feet, with resting intervals every 30 feet.
Up to 12% for 10 feet, with resting intervals every 10 feet.
Additionally, no more than 30% of the total trail length may exceed a running slope of 8.33%.
Obstacles
Obstacles along the trail can be up to two-inches high; however if both the running slope and the cross slope of the trail are 5% or less, the obstacles can be up to three inches high.
Signage
Additionally, all accessible trails are required to be marked with signage that indicates the width, length, cross slope, grade and obstacles found along the way.
The Trail of the Cedars
So how does the Trail of the Cedars measure up to these standards? Is it an accessible trail as defined by the ADAAG?
First off, it’s .7-miles long. There are no regulations regarding length of accessible trails in the ADAAG.
Next, the trail is a combination of boardwalk and pavement with some slight transitions between the two. And since these transitions are less than two inches, they fall within the limits of the regulations.
Finally, the slope of the trail is mostly 2% to 3%, with about a 10 foot section that is 6%. It’s not flat, but it’s has a gradual slope through the forest. And again, that falls within the parameters of an ADA accessible trail.
Is the Trail of the Cedars accessible to everyone? Absolutely not, as evidenced by the message from the daughter whose father was not able to complete it. So how do you avoid not being able to complete a trail that you were told was accessible?
First off, know your limits, and the limits of your adaptive device. Second, familiarize yourself with the requirements for an accessible trail. Here’s a good link to the ADAAG standards for outdoor areas. https://www.access-board.gov/aba/guides/chapter-10-outdoor/
Additionally, even though there are guidelines, not all trails are required to be accessible. You can read about those exceptions in the guidelines too. And of course this only applies to trails in the US, where the ADAAG is valid.
In the end, knowledge is power. Know before you go.