At Oakledge Park in Burlington, accessibility consultant Enock Glidden rolls onto the trail with measuring tools in hand. He checks the grade of the paved path, looks for tight turns near the shoreline, notes surface changes, and photographs rest areas under the cottonwoods.
Soon after, those observations appear on Trail Finder, a free-to-use website used by trail-seekers to discover diverse, four-season trails across Vermont.
His review of Oakledge is part of a statewide effort supported by the Trail Accessibility Hub—a partnership of organizations managed by The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council working to expand access and improve accessibility information across Vermont’s trails.
Enock’s on-the-ground assessments of Vermont trails give trail-seekers something they’ve long needed: clear, consistent, objective accessibility information all in one place.
“For many people with mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities, as well as older adults or parents with young children, planning a day outside isn’t just about choosing a trail labeled ‘easy,’ ” says Steve Engle, Director of Community Geographics, one of the organizations that oversees Trail Finder.
Details like surface, grade, width, and places to rest are important objective trail descriptors. These specifics, however, are often missing from websites, signage, and trail maps, making the research harder than the trip itself.
Trail Finder’s Growing Database
Lacking, incomplete, or outdated trail information is the first barrier that people encounter when trying to access the outdoors. Trail Finder is working to change that.
Thanks to recent grant funding from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR), including a $644,000 Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant supporting the Trail Accessibility Hub, the Trail Finder team has been able to improve the descriptions and maps for over 125 miles of accessible pedestrian trails on the site.
Routes of all types are continuously added, from rail trails to adaptive mountain biking. Website users can click the “Access(ible) Experience” search filter to find trails that offer greater levels of access. Through the Trailside Services feature, businesses can also get listed on Trail Finder, making it easier for trail users can find restaurants, nearby accommodations, gear rentals, and guide services.
“Trail Finder’s work to develop and expand their database of accessible trails addresses a critical gap in communication about accessible outdoor recreation,” said Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. “It’s about giving more people the confidence to explore Vermont’s outdoors.”
Managed and maintained by Hub partners Upper Valley Trails Alliance and Community Geographics, it’s one of the few free map-based trail databases in Vermont focused on increasing access to trails.
“Unlike other trails apps and websites out there,” says Engle, “Trail Finder relies on 100% trail manager-approved content. Postings for accessible trails on the site receive extra attention and review from Trail Finder’s administrators to ensure consistency and accuracy.”
Hub partners are not only improving existing trail descriptions and adding new ones, but also developing resources for building accessible trails and sharing first-person stories that show what accessible outdoor recreation looks and feels like across Vermont.
Since 2024, the Hub has held over a dozen informational workshops and webinars for trail managers and completed 55 trail accessibility assessments with more than 30 organizations to evaluate pedestrian, aquatic, and adaptive mountain biking routes. These assessments are in demand and help trail managers identify the specific improvements needed to enhance access or meet established accessibility standards.
More Voices on the Trail
Greg Durso, a wheelchair athlete and program director at the Kelly Brush Foundation, played a key role in creating a series of three tutorial videos on building adaptive mountain biking trails with Hub partner The Vermont Mountain Bike Association.
“Adaptive mountain bikes are for people who want the thrill of trail riding,” Durso said. “The main goal of adaptive trails is to provide adaptive riders the same experience as two-wheel riders.”
New Hub resource pages built with input from trail users provide detailed information on how to build accessible pedestrian trails, mountain biking trails, and aquatic entry points, along with their benefits.
A series of audio stories developed by the Hub helps people hear what access feels like. In one, Derek Flint, who is blind, describes kayaking with his family at Green River Reservoir in Hyde Park and how accessible launches make a difference.
“Being on a kayak…it’s a sense of freedom. I used to be able to drive, and now I get a part of that back with kayaking,” he said.
In another, hand-cyclist and wheelchair user Edie Perkins talks about her visits to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Trail Finder also hosts a growing set of trail accessibility blog posts, including two about Edie’s trips to Raven Ridge in Charlotte and Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee, and the confidence that comes with clear, accurate information.
“Everything felt thoughtfully designed for accessibility without losing that wild, natural feel,” Perkins shared in a post she recently wrote about VINS for Trail Finder. “The paths are subtle, the views are incredible, and the experience left me grinning ear to ear…the sense of peace was exactly what I’d hoped for.”
Explore & Contribute
Trail Finder and other Trail Accessibility Hub partners are continuing to add accessible listings, photos, and resources for trip planning. Here’s how to get started:
- Check out the Hub’s Guide to Accessible Outdoor Recreation in Vermont, a directory of accessible trails, equipment, and stories from people leading the way in accessible outdoor recreation across Vermont.
- Use Trail Finder to pick a trail that matches your needs, and when you’re back, leave a comment to help the next person plan.
