Accessible Trails – Embracing Nature

Accessible Trails – Embracing Nature and Being Inclusive

What is your first reaction when coming across a beautiful landscape? Probably snapping a photo and sharing it with friends and family – because sharing is caring. Have you ever invited friends to go on a hike but they declined because they were unsure of their physical ability? Terrains in Hong Kong’s country parks vary. Besides tall mountains and steep slopes, Hong Kong also has flat and easily accessible routes to offer.

A site visit to check out the trail in Aberdeen Reservoir

What is an accessible trail?

Unforeseeable obstacles are often the concerns of wheelchair users when they go out. While working with wheelchair users, TrailWatch has also gone through a learning process. When compiling essential information of the routes, logistics, and various supporting facilities have to be taken into account and they include transportation to reach the starting point, barrier-free toilets, the makeup of trail surface, steepness of the path, the presence of stairs, whether or not there are supply stations and resting space, etc. When designing an accessible trail for wheelchair users, the first step is about how to get to the starting point of the trail. During the trailing of a route, our team always take public transportation from the city in order to evaluate any potential difficulties. For instance, there is only one wheelchair space on each bus, while some ferries heading to outlying islands can only accommodation two wheelchairs on board. In terms of trail surface, those near the reservoirs are generally flat and wide enough for wheelchair users, as these paths were originally built for vehicles to transport construction materials when the reservoirs were being built. However, it should be noted that some entrance points at the reservoir might be locked or have physical obstacles in place.

Accessible entrance of Aberdeen Reservoir

Pay attention to the steepness of slopes and presence of any bumps and pits when designing an accessible route

The accessible toilet is essential for an accessible route (Nam Chung (Lo Uk) Public toilet)

During route exploration, the team paid extra attention to facilities such as resting spots and rain shelters, for example, pavilions with relatively gentle ramps and flat surface, and therefore easy for wheelchairs to enter. On the other hand, heights of some information panels on history and culture or ecology are not suited for wheelchair users, and hopefully, this will be improved in the future. Through compiling such information and pushing for improvement in support facilities, the team is advocating for more accessible and inclusive design for country parks so that more people can enjoy nature.

We have consolidated information of five accessible trails suitable for wheelchair users and they are now available on TraiWatch App and website, as well as Oasistrek.

Accessible Trails

Aberdeen Reservoir：https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10095636
The Peak：https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10095362
Kowloon Reservoir：https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10095632
Nam Chung：https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10094442
Mui Wo：https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10095305