Accessible Hiking Trails

Project Objective:

The project aims to enhance accessibility and social inclusion in hiking tourism by making the Coastal Hiking Trail and the Forest Trail more inclusive for:

• Seniors, families with young children, and people in wheelchairs.
• School-aged youth by providing self-guided hiking solutions.
• People facing language and cross-cultural barriers (e.g., foreign students, war refugees).

The project will integrate international best practices from the European Rambler's Association (ERA) to ensure high accessibility standards.

Key Activities:

• Developing and piloting accessibility solutions for targeted social groups.
• Improving 16 sites along the Coastal Hiking Trail and the Forest Trail to enhance accessibility.
• Training service providers on accessibility standards.
• Upgrading the “Hikers’ Friendly” sign to include accessibility criteria.
• Focusing marketing efforts on promoting accessible hiking experiences.
• Collaborating with organizations and experts to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
• Sharing project results and experiences to support wider adoption of accessibility solutions.

Expected Results:

• Improved accessibility across 16 key sites on both hiking trails.
• A more inclusive and socially diverse hiking community in Latvia and Estonia.
• New solutions for self-guided hiking for school-aged youth.
• Better integration of foreign students, refugees, and other groups into local hiking culture.
• Stronger cross-border tourism product development with accessibility as a key feature.

Link to tourism product’s website:

• https://baltictrails.eu/en 

Link to a LP’s website:

• www.celotajs.lv