Disabled Hikers

About

Disabled Hikers is grounded in disability justice — the belief that access to nature is a right, not a privilege, and that the outdoor industry has historically excluded disabled people both physically and culturally. Led by disabled people, the organisation challenges the narrative of who belongs in the outdoors and works to transform parks, trail culture, and outdoor recreation to be genuinely welcoming to disabled and marginalised communities.

What It Offers

• Accessible trail guides: Published guidebooks for Western Washington/Oregon and Northern California using the "Spoon Rating System" — a disability-aware trail difficulty metric that accounts for energy expenditure, not just physical gradient
• Online trail information: Web-accessible trail information and resources for planning outdoor visits
• Inclusive group hikes: Organised community hikes welcoming disabled participants of all ability levels
• The Storytelling Project: An initiative amplifying disabled people's personal outdoor experiences
• Monthly newsletter: Community updates, resources, and opportunities
• Advocacy and partnerships: Active collaboration with parks, land management agencies, and outdoor brands to improve trail accessibility and representation

Who It's For

Disabled Hikers is for anyone with a disability — physical, cognitive, invisible, or otherwise — who wants to access the outdoors. Their ethos is explicitly inclusive: "Whether enjoying the outdoors means sitting by your window or thru-hiking a trail, you are welcome here." Online content is free.