The accessible trail at Moss Lake in Herkimer County includes a viewing platform. Photo by Kurt Gardner
About this Project
Organizations and community members brought to the Adirondack Land Trust’s attention a need for places that allow people with disabilities to experience nature. When we tried to understand the extent of existing opportunities across the Adirondacks, we realized that there was a knowledge gap.
This Ground Truthing Accessible Wildland Trails project is a first step toward filling that knowledge gap. Our 2025 intern visited 36 trails across the Adirondack to collect information and images. In addition to locating, ranking, and describing each trail, the findings also highlight a disparity of opportunities for people with mobility disabilities to access wild places.
The final report defines data collection parameters; lists and ranks accessible trails on municipal, private, and state lands across the Adirondack Park; and recommends areas for future inquiry.
Disclaimer
This report has been prepared for the Adirondack Land Trust to provide an initial and brief assessment of accessible trails across the park. Adirondack Land Trust staff are not experts in accessibility. The information and findings contained herein do not certify compliance with federal, state, or local accessibility requirements.