Author: Cecilia

ExplorePAtrails.com

ExplorePAtrails.com is a searchable site  where you can put in your parameters such as hiking, length and distance from a city or zip code and it will come up with a list with links to information about trails.  For example, I chose within 100 miles of Allenstown, any length, hiking, and wheelchair and it turned up 72 ADA trails!

Allegheny National Forest

Allegheny National Forest
” Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, the ANF is composed of plateau tops with elevations up to approximately 2,300 feet and valleys down to approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. The forest is approximately 517,000 acres and includes land in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties in the northwestern corner of the state. ”
Here is the Forest website.   Phone 814-728-6100   Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau  phone 800-473-9370  Regional Map   Maps and Brochures.  List of trails with links to descriptions.  There are several trails described as “easy”, but you will need to call ahead to learn more.  Try the Bradford Ranger District 814-363-6000 or the Marienville Ranger District 814-927-5700
Wheelchair AccessibleShawmut Trail is 2 miles that “partially follows Marvin Creek and traverses wooded settings, open meadows and farm land.”
Wheelchair AccessibleTimberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail is “Two trail loops totaling 1.4 miles.  The Woodcock Loop is marked with a yellow woodcock insignia and features 12 interpretive stops. The shorter Bluebird trail is suitable for wheelchairs or walking assistance equipment and features six interpretive stops.” Description from Forest Service

Benton-Winslow Rotary Trail

Cities of Benton and Winslow
Wheelchair AccessibleBenton-Winslow Rotary Trail
This approximately 3 mile  “very level trail, [was] constructed along an old rail bed. It leads to a former rail bridge abutment from which one can look up and down river for a mile each way. Visitors may be see turkeys, deer, ducks, beavers, turtles, and an occasional heron or bald eagle.”    Thank you Cyndi, for bringing this trail to my attention.  She writes that the “trail’s accessibility is weather dependent. The railroad bed is flat and the ‘superhumus’ bark mulch surface is accessible to individuals in wheelchairs when it is not snow covered. During the winter many people snowshoe, ski, walk and run on this trail so the path is well used and snow becomes packed. This surface becomes slippery when it freezes and boot ice grippers are recommended. The trees along the trail provide a nice wind break.”  She cautions that hikers should take care to keep their children and dogs away from the river and adds that “The trail mile markers posts have large print [but] may not be visible to all users with limited vision.”  Here is a  description from Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. Phone 207-872-8696.

Conemaugh River Lake

Conemaugh River Lake
“An abundance of cultural resources and recreational opportunities coupled with a great river revival and trail has certainly made Conemaugh River Lake the place to be for outdoor fun!”
Here is their website.   724-639-9013 option: 7  Maintained by the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy
Wheelchair AccessibleWest Penn Rail Trail  “Interpretive signs along the trail point out interesting parts of the historical legacy.  Over three miles of the [17 mile] trail is level and accessible by wheelchair at the Livermore and Westinghouse trail heads.”  Call before you go.  There is a note on the Map that the access at Westinghouse is closed.

Erie National Wildlife Refuge

Erie National  Wildlife Refuge

Here is the Refuge website.  Phone: 814-789-3585   Brochure  There are five nature trails here.  Some of them sound pretty easy.  Call to see if they would be easy for you.
Wheelchair AccessibleMuddy Creek Holly Trail  Map  “This out-and-back trail stretches a mile over the glacial and riverine sediments of Muddy Creek’s valley. The terrain is flat to gently rolling with an environment of meadows, marshes, oxbow sloughs, and intermediate and mature forests….A four foot wide boardwalk provides excellent access for the handicapped and others in this seasonally wet area.”
? Beaver Run Trail is a 1 mile loop

? Tsuga Trail can be done as a 1.2 mile loop

Portland, OR

Portland Metro
  “Metro serves more than 1.5 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. The agency’s boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 24 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.”  Phone  503-665-4995 ext. 0  Here is the website for Metro’s Parks and Venues.
  Wheelchairtraveling.com on Portland’s accessibility
Access Recreation, conceived and led by Georgena Moran, is a wonderful project which provides assessments and videos to benefit hikers with disabilities in the Portland Metro region.  There are candid descriptions, photos, maps and annotated profiles.    Access Trails  Overall map   Hiking trails videos.
     
Wheelchair AccessibleCooper Mountain Nature Park   has a 3/4 mile accessible loop trail      Trail Map  Field Guide
Wheelchair AccessibleScouters Mountain Nature Park has a 1/4 mile accessible loop at the top of the hill.  Field Guide  Map
Wheelchair AccessibleSmith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area Field  Guide   phone 503-797-1545  Map
The Interlakes Trail and the 40-mile Loop Trail are both wheelchair accessible as are the wildlife viewing platforms and restroom.
Wheelchair AccessibleMount Talbert Nature Park  Website  phone North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District at 503-794-8041 Trail Map  There is a “short gravel trail” and picnic shelter which are accessible.
Wheelchair AccessibleGraham Oaks Nature Park   Field Guide
“Much of the park is wheelchair accessible, although some trails are more challenging. ”  I suggest you call first for clarification: 503-665-4995
Wheelchair AccessibleForest Park      Map of Trails and Roads Described on wheelchairtraveling.com
Leif Erikson Drive is an 11 mile gravel road.
The Lower Macleay Trail is paved for a short distance ending at Balch Creek.
Wheelchair AccessibleBlue Lake Regional Park  Map     The 2 mile Blue Lake Loop Hike described by OregonHikers.org