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An older hiker with a walker and a child leading a dog are walking on a wide gravel path in the pine forest towards the camera. There is a railing beside the path.

An accessible day outdoors – Nature belongs to everyone

Accessible trails offer diverse and free opportunities for outdoor experiences, even for those using prams or mobility aids. In the end, accessibility in nature benefits us all.

There are accessible routes and rest areas in nearly every national park on the mainland. For example, Liesjärvi National Park features the 4.2 km circle trail Peukaloisenpolku Trail – the longest accessible hiking route in any Finnish national park.

“Accessible nature trails benefit everyone, including children just learning to walk. When people associate hiking with ease and safety, they are more likely to return,” says Laura Lehtonen, Recreation Amenities Specialist at Metsähallitus.

Accessibility is improved by widening and levelling paths, adding viewing platforms, and ensuring access by car. Rest areas, toilets, and fire pits are also adapted. Improvements are often tested by experience experts to ensure they truly work for people using aids.

A family with a buggy is walking along a wide path covered with hard rock dust in an autumnal forest.
Torronsuo trail, which is accessible with an assistant, is also ideal for families with young children.

Plan your accessible hike with Luontoon.fi

All accessible trails and services are easy to find on the Luontoon.fi service, where you can filter results by accessibility criteria. Trail descriptions include details on slope, surface material and other key information.

“The most important thing is to describe routes thoroughly so visitors can decide for themselves if a site suits their needs. While design focuses on people with reduced mobility, the aim is to serve a wide range of users,” says Lehtonen.

On Luontoon.fi and in the field, routes are marked either as accessible or demanding accessible. Accessible trails are often built, hard-surfaced and even throughout. Demanding accessible trails may have more slopes or uneven terrain – and may require assistance or special equipment.

Note that weather conditions affect accessibility: the same route can vary greatly with the seasons.

Three hikers are walking along the boardwalk. Around them is lush green coastal meadow.
Hikers on the boardwalk at Vihaslahti in Kalajoki.

Tips for Accessible Hiking Routes

Watch our videos for examples of accessible hikes