High Bridge Trail State Park
“The park’s centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River.”
Here is the Park website. Accessibility Phone 434-315-0457 Trail Guide
All the ten trail sections are described in the guide as easy. This 31 mile long rail/trail is “…..wide, level and generally flat. Its finely crushed limestone surface and dimensions make it easy to enjoy.” This park came up in my search for universally accessible trails in Virginia State Parks, but there is no mention of such use on this website.
“Rangers at the park offer accessibility tours throughout the year to help disabled persons access High Bridge. Reservations are required. Call 434-315-0457 or email highbridgetrail@dcr.virginia.gov.”
Author: Cecilia
Bear Creek Lake State Park
Bear Creek Lake State Park
In “…the heart of the Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia, Bear Creek Lake is less than an hour west of Richmond. It’s the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities center on the 40-acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and a swimming beach.”
“Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, power-driven mobility devices for those with disabilities are permitted. Check with park staff to see if a given mobility device is suitable for a particular trail.”
Here is the Park website. Accessibility Phone 804-492-4410 Trail Guide
Coyote Trail 0.07 mile
Otter Trail 0.16 mile
Beaver Run Trail 0.05 mile
Hungry Mother State Park
Hungry Mother State Park
Hungry Mother State Park is “…known for beautiful woodlands and a placid 108-acre lake in the heart of the mountains. The park has a sandy beach with bathhouse, boat rentals (fishing, canoe, kayak, paddle boats and paddle boards), a boat launch and a universally accessible fishing pier. “
Here is the Park website. Accessibility Phone 276-781-7400 Trail Guide
Lake Loop Trail 1 mile is easy “This loop trail starts and ends at 2,212 feet. The first mile, which parallels Park Blvd., is gently rolling and relatively flat. Once the trail crosses the dam, it begins steeper rolling sections.”
Blue Ridge Center
Blue Ridge Center
Blue Ridge Center preserves 900 acres of Virginia’s Piedmont, including streams flowing into the Potomac, diverse plants, sustainable farming and wildlife ranging from “butterflies to bears.” The 10 mile network of trails wind through forests and meadows.
Here is the Center website. Phone 540-668-7640 Trail Map Hiking
Farmstead Loop “Just over a mile long and with minimal elevation change, the trail is perfect for all ages and fitness levels.”
Rockfish Valley Foundation
Rockfish Valley Foundation
The Foundation works to preserve the natural, historical, ecological and agricultural resources of the Rockfish Valley. They support the Rockfish Valley Loop Trail system, Spruce Creek Park and the lands associated with them.
Natural History Center phone 434-361-0217 RVF Office phone 434-226-0446 See also Rockfish River Loop Trail Here is the Foundation’s website.
Trail Map
Rockfish Valley Track Trail From Kidsinparks.com “…. a flat, 1 mile loop that follows the South Fork of the Rockfish River and Reids Creek. The trail features riparian, field, and bog habitats and offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.”
? There are plans for a the Native Plant Walk. I don’t know if this has been completed. From the map it looks very easy.
Spruce Creek Park
This park in Nelson consists of 35 acres located at the intersection of Rt. 151 and Glenthorne Loop. It contains the Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center and three trails: The Children’s Nature Trail, the Butterfly Trail, and a birding trail. Difficulty ratings for these trails are not given. Call ahead.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Parkway is a 469 mile drive “revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands.” The Blue Ridge Parkway is in both Virginia and North Carolina.
Here is their website. Phone 828-348-3400 Recorded Park Information line 828-298-0398
Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, North Carolina 828-298-5330 Map Real time open/close road status map – Accessibility
The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
Peaks of Otter
Abbot Lake Trail One mile loop around the lake “…through a woodland forest and open field.
Trails in North Carolina This site gives mileage and a rating of easy, moderate or strenuous and links to trail maps. I can not tell just how easy is “easy” and there is no indication whether there might be obstacles such as stairs.
Rocky Knob
? Rocky Knob Picnic area trail “… is an easy 1-mile loop and offers a pleasant walk through a mature forest of large oaks, ashes, hickories, Fraser magnolias, hemlocks, and other native trees and shrubs.”
Kids in Parks
Kids in Parks “…an expanding network of family-friendly outdoor adventures” Although aimed at families with small children, many of their trails are suitable for the limited hiker and they do note where a trail is ADA compliant. Trails are described in California, District of Columbia, Maryland, South Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Groton State Forest
Groton State Forest
“Groton State Forest is home to seven state parks, the Groton Nature Center, and eight lakes and ponds. Groton State Forest is also home to several state-designated natural areas, such as Peacham Bog Natural Area (748 acres) and Lords Hill Natural Area (25 acres). ”
Here is the Forest website. Phone Nature center at 802-584-3827 or try 617-642-5740
Kettle Pond ADA trail to boat launch is “short”. The “easy” walk around the pond is 3.1 miles, but the south end is described as rocky and wet.
Groton Nature Trail 0.6 mile. A self-guided nature trail through diverse woods from the Nature Center. There are several other short, easy trails in Groton State Forest, which includes seven state parks. Check with the Nature Center for more information.
Hazen’s Notch High Ponds Farm
Hazen’s Notch – High Ponds Farm
The High Ponds Farm in the Hazen’s Notch area of Montgomery, Vermont is a privately owned nature preserve that is open to the public on a limited basis.
The non-profit Hazen’s Notch Association “maintains a network of 15 miles of trails and woods roads for hiking in Summer and Fall. These are part of a larger network of 40 miles of trails that are maintained in Winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Hazen’s Notch/Jay Peak area of northern Vermont. The trails pass through a variety of interesting habitats that include meadows, forests, orchards, and beaver ponds.”
Here is the Farm website. Here is a website for the Hazens’s Notch Association
Phone 802-326-4799 Trail Map (winter)
Beaver Ponds Trail – Distance not given. “The first section of the trail is almost completely flat from the parking area to the first beaver pond on the right. This pond is visible from the parking area. It is also a flat walk beyond this pond to the junction with the Window Rock Trail and for the next 100 meters to the wheel chair accessible bridge over Flood Brook.”
Green Mountain Audubon Nature Center
Green Mountain Audubon Nature Center
“Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains, the 250-acre Green Mountain Audubon Center offers outstanding opportunities for exploration and discovery of the natural world of Vermont. Five miles of trails wind their way through a variety of natural communities including, northern hardwood forest, hemlock swamp, and the Huntington River.”
Trail Map Phone 802-434-3068 Here is the Center website.
Sensory Trail 0.5? mile loop. Information on the internet about length and elevation vary widely and this trail does not appear on the trail map. Their office was closed when I called. Be sure to call in advance, Monday through Friday.