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Tips (and benefits) for going hiking as a wheelchair user

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Did you know that there are many options for going hiking if you are a wheelchair user? From how to hit the trails, what to bring and where to go, we’ve got you covered!

For many, the idea of hiking evokes rugged paths and steep climbs over hills and rocks, but that doesn’t mean exploring nature is out of reach for wheelchair users. This is far from the case. Adelaide and its surrounding areas offer many accessible hiking trails showcasing South Australia’s breathtaking landscapes. Take Morialta Conservation Park for example, which has the ‘First Falls Walk’ – a wheelchair-accessible trail that takes you to a waterfall perfect for a selfie!

Similarly, the boardwalk at Hallett Cove Conservation Park offers stunning views of the ocean and cliffs. Another great option is Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens which provide paved pathways that are accessible to everyone, right in the heart of the city.

Wheelchair users can absolutely enjoy the outdoors and experience the many benefits of hiking.

By planning ahead and choosing accessible trails, exploring nature is not only possible – it’s downright enjoyable.

Whether it is alongside a river or a scenic path through a park, there are plenty of options for hiking that cater to varying levels of mobility, as we will share with you below.

 

Tip 1: Doing your research

Getting outdoors can decrease stress and anxiety levels whilst also increasing creativity and happiness (as well as other health benefits). Hiking is also free and a great activity to do with friends.

For people with physical disability, going hiking can sometimes require extra planning While there are some great accessible walking and hiking trails in South Australia (which we’ll list below), it can still be difficult to find a location that is fully accessible. Before you get started, we recommend doing some research about the location where you’re intending to go hiking – check out the terrain, the inclines, if there are accessible bathrooms and how long the hike should take. Anyone can go hiking, it’s just about finding a path that is accessible for you.

Here is a helpful checklist to help you get started:

1. Is it a shared trail with cyclists, runners or horse riders?

2. How many trees or roots are on the trail (you can estimate this through programs like Google or Apple maps)

3. Find out how narrow the trail is – you can usually find this information on the trail’s website

4. Whether there is phone service – in case of an emergency, it is important to contact someone for support – again, you can usually find this information on the trail’s website

5. What kind of terrain is the trail?

6. What is the estimated length of the trail in a wheelchair? This information can be found on Google Maps, or community forums on Facebook and Reddit

7. Is the trail accessible? This information can be found on the trail’s website, or again, community forums like Facebook and Reddit.

8. Have friends or family completed this trail?

Tip 2: Starting slow and steady

Our first tip to get on the tracks would be to start small and slow. Instead of tackling a large hike on your first go, we recommend starting on a smaller, flatter track rather than something that is quite strenuous or hilly. It’s important to take your time to ensure you feel safe and comfortable when doing activities you enjoy.

A good way to start small would be to go with a friend or a group so that there is no pressure to go super-fast around the trail. We’ve listed some hiking groups in Adelaide where you can hit the trails in a safe and supportive environment:

 

Quick tip: For a full list of walking and hiking groups based in Adelaide, visit the Walking SA website to find a group in your area.

 

If you’re looking to start slow and steady, we’ve listed some of Adelaide’s most accessible trails below:

Quick tip: For a full list of accessible hiking spots in Adelaide for all different levels, visit AllTrails.

Quick tip: If there are no trails nearby when you search wheelchair accessible trails, try pram accessible trails!

Tip 3: Prepare your equipment

Before hitting the trails, it’s important to prepare your equipment so you can get hiking without any interruptions. Wheelchairs made for bitumen are generally suitable for hiking. However, if you are wanting to go a bit ‘off-road’, an adaptive wheelchair like the Hippocampe All Terrain Transit Chair which is designed for the outdoors with a push bar, armrests, headrest or harness are available and adjustable.

We also recommend having your equipment regularly checked by your therapy team or going in for regular servicing at our NovitaTech retail store. Checking for stones, sticks and debris within the frame and wheels of your chair is also an important thing to remember each time you go for a hike.

Equipment hire:

If you are not sure about your wheelchair’s ability on the trail, some sites offer users accessible equipment for hikes. Some of these include:

  • Belair National Park – visitors are offered free use of the MT Push, an all-ter­rain assist­ed wheel­chair will pro­vide inclu­sive access to a wide vari­ety of ter­rain, mud, grav­el, grass and uneven path­ways. A hire agreement form is required to be filled out upon hire as well as providing a copy of a Driver’s License or another valid form of identification. The MT Push is only to be used within Belair National Park. For more information, click here.
  • Deep Creek National Park — a Trail­Rid­er wheel­chair avail­able for free hire for up to three days in Deep Creek National Park. The Trail­Rid­er all-ter­rain wheel­chairs allows peo­ple with lim­it­ed mobil­i­ty to explore the diverse trails. The one-wheeled chair is a cross between a wheel­bar­row and sedan chair. The Trail­Rid­er requires a min­i­mum of two rea­son­ably fit peo­ple (one at each end of the chair). For more information and how to book, click here
  • eTrike group excursions – eTrike group excursions on the Fleurieu Coast, Belair National Park and in the Yorke and mid-north of South Australia. eTrikes are user-operated wheelchairs designed for ease and accessibility on the trails. In these group excursions, users can hike in a friendly and safe environment with like-minded peers.

Tip 4: Staying hydrated and healthy on the trails

As you probably are aware, getting on the trails involves being under the sun and other outdoor elements. Before you head out, consider putting a checklist together to ensure you stay safe and healthy. We’ve put a quick one together as a guide:

1. Ensure you have enough food and water throughout your hike – a good measure for this is making sure you have a drink every 20 minutes. If you are going on a longer hike, pack two drink bottles you can easily store in your wheelchair. You should also keep enough food for energy throughout the hike. Great energy sources include muesli and protein bars, fruit snacks and trail mix. Note: before you start, check to see if there are any water refill stations along the traill

 

2. Wear appropriate clothing for hiking – ensure that you wear appropriate breathable clothing while you hike. This will protect you from any sun damage or exposure to bugs or dirt. Closed footwear is a must, and we recommend covering your shoulders to avoid sun damage. We also recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray to further avoid exposure to harsh elements.

3. Bring any spare parts – if you are going on a longer hike, ensure you bring any necessary spare parts for your wheelchair in case anything goes wrong.

4. Keep your phone charged – when hiking, it’s always important to keep your phone charged in case you run into any trouble. We would recommend bringing a portable battery charger to keep your phone charged throughout the duration of your hike.

5. Download your maps – in case you run out of service, a great tip would be to download your full hiking map so you can access directions offline. Hiking stops usually have wayfinding or paper maps available as well.

6. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, remember it’s okay to change your mind – if you reach the trails and feel uncomfortable or upset, it’s okay to turn back! Hiking should be a fun and engaging activity, not something that makes you feel scared or unsure. The trails will always be there, so it’s okay to return on another day when you are feeling less stressed.

Tips for family and friends

As well as providing tips for wheelchair users, we also wanted to share some helpful information for family and friends. If your loved one wants to find a new activity or hobby, hiking is a great place to start. Here’s what you can do to encourage them to get started:

  • Encourage and support them to go hiking – however, it’s important not to push them into something they don’t want to do.
  • Don’t assume – if you join a wheelchair user on a hike, don’t immediately assume they need your help or support – they will most likely let you know if they need you.
  • Slow and steady wins the race – if you’re planning to join your loved one or friend on a hike, remember to keep a steady pace. A good tip to slow down would be stopping to admire nature or scenery.

 

We hope to encourage more wheelchair users to go hiking and experience the many benefits, including getting out into nature and staying fit. If you are keen to get on the trails, or want to find out more about accessible hiking in Adelaide and South Australia, there are a range of great resources to use including:

You can also find a lot of information on specific parks and their accessibility options through local council websites.

For adaptable equipment and everything you’ll need on the trails, visit our NovitaTech store

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