By Cory Lee
Hiking is a great hobby for any outdoor enthusiast, as it’s a fairly simple way to explore new places and spend time in nature. For wheelchair users, hiking can be very accessible, too, since many trails are being adapted to provide more space and access for all.
While the United States offers a range of accessible hiking opportunities, the countries below are some of the best in the world for accessible hiking abroad. Whether you’re planning a day hike or an entire vacation around time on the trails, consider these fantastic destinations.
1. Scotland
Scotland is a fun destination for hiking, both as a main hobby and as something to add to a trip. There are several opportunities to hike in nature, such as with the Staffin Bay Trail in Isle of Skye. This 2.70-km. hike explores the bay along a coastal road that is not paved, but is quiet and wheelchair accessible to most wheelchair types. On this hike, there are amazing views of the water and it’s a good opportunity to escape the crowds and noise of the city.
For more of a neighborhood-hike experience, there is a 6.67-km. hiking trail from Falkirk Wheel to the Kelpies. This well-known walk is a tourist attraction and is a great addition to your vacation or stay. The trail starts at the Falkirk Wheel, which connects boats to the canal, and winds through the outskirts of Falkirk, ending at the Kelpies equine structures. These magnificent horse-head statues are the perfect place to end, as you can take photos and marvel at the unique art.
The view from Staffin Bay Trail in Isle of Skye, Scotland
2. England
England is typically thought of as a city destination with plenty to do in London, but it’s also home to national parks, as well as seaside and beach hiking trails, giving you a variety of activities to do during your stay. Both of these trails require an all-terrain wheelchair, such as the GRIT Freedom Chair, to give you the most freedom and enjoyment on the trail. Accessible hiking in North York Moors National Park is available on the Rosedale Railway walk. The path is 6.41 km. in length, well-marked, and easy to follow with some educational boards at the start. Sights along this trail include scenic vistas for photo opportunities and time spent in the open air.
For another all-terrain wheelchair hike, try the Seahouses to Bamburgh Castle hike. This 5.38-km. trail follows the waterline to provide great views of the town, sand dunes, cliffs, pools, and open water. When the path ends, there is a wheelchair-accessible path so you can continue your hike through the dunes. It’s important to pay attention to the tide schedule, as you’ll need to hike the beach to reach the castle.
Seahouses to Bamburgh Castle hike, England
3. Wales
Roath Park is one of the most popular parks in Cardiff, which includes a lake and a botanical garden. The 2.17-km. hike within the park covers both sides of the lake, giving you the opportunity to explore a majority of the park, including the gardens and the Victorian Glass House. This is a great destination for birdwatching as well, with many species visiting the lake. Visiting Roath Park gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the space, as well as try hiking if you’re new to the hobby.
Roath Park in Cardiff, Wales
4. Germany
Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia provides a unique opportunity to take a hike literally among the treetops. This inclusive, wheelchair-accessible walk takes place on a raised wooden walkway, creating a hike that is inclusive for all. The hike is 1.5 km. long and is designed to both put the hiker in nature, as well as educate the visitor about the area and the wildlife. This hike is a great opportunity to try hiking and is a space for amazing photography, views, and memories while visiting Germany.
Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
5. Ireland
Belfast, Ireland, offers two fun opportunities to hike, one of which is within a botanical garden for more of a tourist hike, and the other is an open-air natural hike that takes you out into the countryside. The Belfast Botanic Gardens are a beautiful destination with 1.28 km. of paved and unpaved paths to explore the property. There are lush and colorful gardens, greenhouses, and outdoor green space for a quiet and relaxing outdoor stroll. There are some steps along the path, but the well-designed layout provides plenty of wheelchair-accessible spaces to explore.
For an open-air outdoor hike into the countryside, try the Divis Lough Trail. The trail is 1.4 miles in a circular or loop layout. The majority of the hike explores an open field with beautiful views of the green hills and natural landscaping. The path is made of packed gravel and may be firmer on drier days, depending on the recent weather. This is a quiet opportunity to explore the area outside of the busier town.
Divis Lough Trail in Belfast, Ireland
6. Sweden
In Sweden, there is an all-inclusive and wheelchair-accessible hiking trail that covers 30 km., broken up into four sections. This trail, known as KullaRulla Trail, is marked with orange circular signs to denote the trail throughout the year, with a few sections marked in the spring when the trail is accessible. The details about the trail are being added to their website, but it is a walking trail that has been created to give everyone a chance to get out and explore nature. The four main sections range from 7 km. to 9 km. in length, giving you an opportunity to hike one or more sections at a time.
KullaRulla Trail, Sweden
7. Canada
A popular hiking destination in Alberta is the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail. This 3.7-km. out-and-back trail sees a lot of hiking traffic, as it spans one side of Lake Louise. It’s a popular hike due to the views and the wildlife, with an accessible path that is around a meter wide and made of pavement and gravel, depending on the section. It is less accessible during the winter months, and wheelchair users may need assistance depending on the weather and how it affects the trail.
Hiking is a popular hobby around the world, as it provides an accessible way for everyone to truly experience nature and spend time outdoors. These seven countries are some of the best in the world for accessible hiking, so now you just need to explore them for yourself!
Lake Louise Lakefront Trail in Alberta, Canada
8. The United States of America
With 421 national parks, 6,600 state parks, and countless other stunning adaptive hikes, the USA certainly deserves a spot on the list of the world’s best hiking countries.
Looking to explore some of these breathtaking hikes for yourself? Then check out The Ultimate Guide to Accessible Hikes in America and start enjoying the trails!
About the Author: Cory Lee
Cory Lee is the award-winning accessible travel blogger behind Curb Free with Cory Lee. He hopes to inspire others to roll out of their comfort zone and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.