What We Do

Photo by Sharon Plumb

The Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) is committed to supporting both trail managers and the disability community. Our work includes expanding the number of trails accessible to people of all abilities, offering web-based educational resources, creating opportunities for networking and learning, conducting accessibility assessments, and enhancing trail descriptions so that everyone has the information they need to confidently choose their own outdoor adventures.

Resources

The Trail Accessibility Hub fosters collaboration between trail organizations and the disabilities community to enhance trail accessibility for everyone. The Hub offers web-based information on best management practices for adapting and building pedestrian, aquatic access, and adaptive mountain bike trails. They live on the VTGC website.

There is also a wealth of national resources dedicated to improving trail accessibility. American Trails’ accessibility hub features recorded webinars, compliance resources, and usability guides aimed to strengthen your knowledge and skills.

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Assessments

The Hub partners conduct thorough assessments of existing trails and potential trail sites to evaluate their accessibility. These assessments, often carried out with the help of individuals with mobility challenges, include a comprehensive review of parking facilities, signage, trail surfaces, and amenities like toilets and picnic areas. Our assessments are designed to help trail managers understand the current state of their trails and identify areas for improvement. Thanks to 2023 VOREC Community Grant Program funding, between June 2024 – Fall 2025, we were able to conduct more than 50 assessments statewide, free of charge. Case studies with sample assessments are available on our Trail Talk page

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Trail Finder

The best way for a trail user to decide if they’ll check out a new trail is to have accurate and complete information. This is especially true for people with young children, elders, and those with mobility challenges. Trail Finder, partially funded by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, is dedicated to providing complete trail descriptions that include slope, grade, surface material, and much more The Hub supports this work by working with trail managers and trail users to submit accurate information.

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Workshops & Webinars

We offer a variety of workshops and webinars to educate trail managers and builders on the best practices for creating and maintaining accessible trails. These training sessions cover everything from basic accessibility guidelines to advanced techniques for building adaptive trails. By sharing our knowledge, we aim to empower others to contribute to the creation of inclusive outdoor spaces.

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Funding

Creating accessible trails often requires significant funding. We help trail managers identify and apply for grants, such as the Recreation Trail Program (RTP) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program. Our team is also constantly on the lookout for new funding opportunities and shares these resources with our partners and the broader community.

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Advising

Our work is driven by collaboration with a wide range of partners, including VTGC, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Community Geographics, and others. Together, we are developing a comprehensive set of recommendations and a sustainability plan to ensure that our efforts continue to benefit the community long after the initial funding period.

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Are you interested in an assessment or want to learn more about the Trail Accessibility Hub? Fill out the form below.

TAH Interest Form

Raising Awareness

We are committed to raising awareness about the importance of trail accessibility. Through our newsletters, social media, and public events, we share success stories, highlight ongoing projects, and provide valuable information to the community. Our goal is to inspire others to join us in making Vermont’s trails more accessible for everyone.

FAQs

Q: What is the Trail Accessibility Hub?

A: The Trail Accessibility Hub is a partnership of trail organizations and disabilities advocates dedicated to improving accessibility on public trails and outdoor recreation areas in Vermont for people with disabilities. The Hub was created in 2024 by Vermont Trails & Greenways Council in partnership with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Trail Finder. VTGS hosts web–based resources that educate trail managers and support trail users. Together, the partnership hosts networking opportunities that connect partners and trail users to trail design and maintenance information, trail grants and funding sources; provide trail assessments and more. Initially funded by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program, the TAH is now seeking funding to continue in ‘26 and beyond.

Q: How do I find wheelchair friendly trails near me?

A: Our Trail Accessibility Hub includes a helpful guide to finding wheelchair friendly trails and other types of outdoor recreation that are accessible to all persons. In this guide, you’ll find recommendations for accessible trail apps—like Trailfinder, Google’s ADA Map, and All Trails—as well as blogs and articles about disability friendly trails, accessible activities, and accessible travel resources in Vermont.

Q: How can I find family-friendly accessible activities in Vermont?

A: Trail Finder’s Accessible Experience Search is the easiest way to discover family-friendly outdoor activities that work for a wide range of ages and abilities. You can filter for pedestrian trails, biking routes, paddling access, walking paths, and nature centers that include accessibility details—such as surface type, slope, amenities, rest areas, parking, and restrooms. Many of the listings also note features that make outings easier for families, like stroller-friendly surfaces, short loop options, shade, picnic areas, and nearby playgrounds or educational programs.

Q: How and where do I find adaptive sports equipment to use outdoors?

A: Mobility equipment and other adaptive sports equipment—like aquatic equipment, all-terrain wheelchairs, adaptive paddling gear, adaptive mountain bikes, and more—can be purchased, rented, or borrowed through several adaptive sports organizations and programs in Vermont. Some of these organizations offer grants to help users purchase mobility equipment. Visit our helpful guide to learn more about the organizations offering these services.

Q: Are there trail-building companies that can help me with my accessible trail project?

A: Here in Vermont, several companies and organizations specialize in building accessible and adaptive trails. These experts can help make mountain bike trails more usable by people on adaptive equipment, improve aquatic access trails, suggest easy improvements to make pedestrian trails usable by people who may have visual impairments, or use walkers or canes, andensure your trail project meets ADA accessibility guidelines and standards. The full list is available on our Professional Trail Builders page.

Q: Are there trail grants or other funding available to help me finance my trail accessibility project?

A: Yes, there are private and public funding sources that can be used to improve trail accessibility. Two popular funding sources in Vermont include the FPR Recreation Trails Program (RTP), and the VOREC Community Grant Program. There are also some federal grants for trails and recreational paths. Vermont Trails & Greenways Council continuously monitors available grants and funding sources to support your trail project or other accessible outdoor recreation project. Available grants and other resources can be found here.

Q: Do all pedestrian trails need to follow ADA accessibility guidelines?

A: The short answer is, no. The two nationally recognized guidelines for defining trail accessibility are Access Board Guidelines (National guidance applying ADA/ABA principles to outdoor spaces) and the U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG). Many trails can be greatly improved without being fully compliant with these guidelines. Small, low-cost improvements can still have a big impact. For example, improved parking and trail information at the trailhead, benches and resting spots, and removing tripping hazards can help parents with young children and people who use mobility devices like canes and walkers enjoy trail-based activities. You can learn more about guidelines for building accessible and adaptive trails here.

Q: What is a sensory or autism trail?

A: A sensory trail is a trail designed for people living with autism or a neurodivergence. Trails designed with these users in mind typically include sensory-friendly spaces or “alone zones,” predictable and consistent pathways, a video preview of the trail, interactive stations with tactile, auditory, or visual elements, and wayfinding support. Any and all of these features help reduce anxiety and provide an accessible nature experience for neurodivergent trail users.

Q: What are the ideal standards for making a trail accessible?

A: The gold standard for accessible trails include: a minimum 36-inch width with 5-foot passing areas every 1,000 feet (preferably 5 feet throughout), slopes following U.S. Forest Service guidelines that allow up to 5% unlimited distance, 5 to8.33% for up to 200 feet between rest areas, and steeper grades up to 12% for shorter segments with mandatory rest stops. Trails should use hardened multi-layer surfaces like compacted hardpack with crushed stone base, feature accessible parking within 2% slope near the trailhead, include frequent benches with wheelchair space, and provide clear signage with trail information, safety barriers at viewpoints, and accessible restrooms connected by firm pathways. For more detailed information about ideal standards for accessible trails, click here.

Q: How do I get involved with making trails more accessible in my community?

A: A good place to start is to talk with trail managers and disability advocates in your region to share your interest and learn about current projects. While it can be daunting to consider building a new trail, there is strong momentum in the state right now and a lot of helpful resources to get you started. You can find ideas for low-hanging fruit on the Trail Accessibility Hub web pages, attend networking events and workshops, and visit trails being built. Sign up for VTGC’s enews, and we’ll keep you updated. Still have questions? Feel free to contact us at info@ermonttgc.org.

Accessibility Hub Partners

Funded through the VOREC Community Grant Program, a grant program of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.