Accessible trails
Parks Canada offers a variety of accessible or easier-access trails for visitors with varying degrees of mobility. Be inspired by any of these suggestions or check the website of the place you want to visit for more options.
Kellys Beach Boardwalk
Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
Length: 1 km return
Surface type: Boardwalk
An easy accessible stroll along the boardwalk over the barrier island dunes with interpretive signs and stunning views across Kellys beach and the sea.
Gulf Shore Way East
Prince Edward Island National Park, Prince Edward Island
Length: 24.4 km return
Surface type: Paved and flat
This multi-use trail runs along the coast from Dalvay Gate all the way to Brackley Beach! Take in the beautiful views of sand dunes, salt marshes and forests from a whole new point-of-view! Completely paved and relatively flat, this trail is perfect for cyclists, hikers, rollerbladers and individuals in wheelchairs.
Gulf Shore Way West
Prince Edward Island National Park, Prince Edward Island
Length: 17 km return
Surface type: Paved with moderate hills
Just a stone’s throw away from Green Gables Heritage Place, Gulf Shore Way West is a beautiful paved trail. From Cavendish to North Rustico, hike, bike or roll your way alongside a stunning coastline of red sandstone cliffs as you admire the crashing waves! Want to cool off after your journey? Dip your toes in the ocean at Cavendish Beach, which offers accessible beach access, washrooms and beach wheelchairs!
Bog Boardwalk
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Length: 0.5 km loop
Surface type: Boardwalk
Drive up the steep winding Cabot Trail overlooking the rugged coastline to find this short but beautiful trail at the top of French Mountain. Follow the boardwalk over carpets of moss and groves of wildflowers. Make your way around scattered ponds as you explore this highland bog. Learn more about the life cycle and complexity of the bog beneath the boardwalk and its importance to the fragile ecosystem here through self-guided interpretive panels.
Freshwater Lake Trail
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Length: 1.7 km return
Surface type: Boardwalk
Stroll along the ocean and listen for the unique sounds of the loon. Maybe you’ll even spot one from the viewing deck!
Western Brook Pond
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Length: 6 km return
Surface type: Hard packed fine gravel and boardwalks
Make sure you bring a lunch to enjoy as you take in the incredible landscape surrounding this trail. Keep an eye out for the interesting pitcher plant, the provincial flower of Newfoundland and Labrador and one of Canada’s few carnivorous plants! At the end of the trail, enjoy the unspoiled views out to the fjords. Want to get out on the water? Join a boat tour (wheelchairs can be stored safely on board) to sail past billion year-old cliffs and cascading high waterfalls. An all-terrain wheelchair can be borrowed from the visitor centre if needed.
Prélude-à-Forillon Trail
Forillon National Park
Length: 0.5 km loop
Surface type: Wooden boardwalk and packed fine gravel
Discover the beauty that Forillon has to offer. Travel a wooded area and walk along the sea as you take in the view of majestic cliffs. Explore the various multi-sensory interpretation modules, specifically designed to consider people with physical and visual limitations.
Du Banc Trail
Forillon National Park
Length: 4 km return
Surface type: Hard surface with packed gravel
Walk along the sea and enjoy a view of the famous Forillon cliffs and marvel at the Cap-des-Rosiers lighthouse. Extend your outdoor adventure and stop for a picnic at the rest area, equipped with a wheelchair accessible picnic table. Take a break at the Irish Memorial (Carricks), erected in memory of some one hundred passengers who drowned off Cap-des-Rosiers in 1847.
Cap de Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre Trail
Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
Length: 700 m return
Surface type: Trail and boardwalk with some steep slopes
Plan a picnic and an easy wander along the main trail and boardwalk, which leads directly to the look-out over the marine park. Settle down with a sandwich and some binoculars and get ready for a magical afternoon. Your family will love spotting pods of whales out on the water. Need help identifying the marine life close to shore? No worries, let our guides help you!
La Lumière Trail
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Length: 2.2 km return
Surface type: Boardwalk and gravel
Illuminating times await when you follow this all-access trail to the historic lighthouse on Petite île au Marteau. Imagine living in the lighthouse and helping save ships from crashing onto the shores! The trail is composed mostly of fine gravel, with a wooden boardwalk to compensate for uneven terrain. The trail’s surface can pose a challenge for narrow wheels, however Parks Canada can provide you a wheelchair with large tires on request. This island is only accessible by boat. We encourage you to confirm accessibility details when making your reservation with one of Parks Canada’s recognized boat operators.
Boardwalk Beach Trail
Pukaskwa National Park
Length: 1.2 km return
Surface type: Packed gravel and boardwalk
Immerse yourself in the boreal forest tucked against the northeast shores of Lake Superior. The water-smoothed granite rocks here are amongst some of the oldest on earth. Take the Boardwalk Beach Trail from Hattie Cove Campground to arrive at idyllic Horseshoe Bay. From the lookout, you’ll be rewarded with terrific views over the beach and out to Lake Superior. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the water before heading back. On the way, take in gnarled, windswept spruce and pine.
Marsh Boardwalk Trail
Point Pelee National Park
Length: 1 km loop
Surface type: Boardwalk
See how many painted turtles, red-winged blackbirds or cattails you can count as you stroll the floating boardwalk. Take a close look at the most diverse habitat in the park.
Harvest Trail
Rouge National Urban Park
Length: 5.1 km
Surface type: Granular surface with boardwalk sections
This easy, linear trail weaves through fields of crops, marshland, and shaded woodlots. Enjoy scenic lookouts and rest areas along the trail. Want more? Add the Central Trail and South Central Trail to your list.
Rains Point Trail
Fort St Joseph National Historic Site
Length: 0.5 km return
Surface type: Packed dirt and crushed leaves
Everyone can enjoy this trail that winds through the forest to the site of an old settlement dating back to 1837. No buildings remain, but you can admire the fragrant lilacs and roses which were planted near the limestone beach on the shores of Lake Huron.
Valleyview Lookout Trail
Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
Length: 400 m return
Surface type: Packed fine gravel
Pack up lunch and make your way along this fully-accessible trail to the Valleyview picnic site. Enjoy the sweeping views over the curving river which snakes its way through the valley.
Hemlock Grove Boardwalk trail
Glacier National Park, British Columbia
Length: 350 m loop
Surface type: Boardwalk
This trail was developed as a legacy of Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour, during which he climbed the western approach to Rogers Pass in his wheelchair. A short barrier-free boardwalk means everyone can experience the beauty of the rainforest on this immersive, easy hike.
The Lee Trail, Lake Annette
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Length: 2.4 km loop
Surface type: Paved, but includes steep sections
The wheelchair friendly Lee Trail follows around the perimeter of beautiful Lake Annette. The trail was recently widened and paved, and features brand new interpretive signage. It's a perfect family pick. Certain sections of this trail have a fairly steep incline (maximum 8%).
ʔapsčiik t̓ašii multi-use pathway
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia
Length: 25 km one way
Surface type: Paved with a few short, steep hills with a slope of greater than 10%
Located within the traditional territories and homelands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, this pathway connects the communities of Tofino, Ty-Histanis, Esowista and Ucluelet. Travel along the shared-use pathway through the Long Beach Unit, welcoming cyclists, wheelchair users, walkers, stroller users and more, with access to numerous points of interest along the way. ʔapsčiik t̓ašii is best enjoyed from mid-April to mid-October.
Kokanee Trail
Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon
Length: 1 km return
Surface type: Boardwalk
Soak up spectacular views of towering mountains and crystal clear waters from the shore of Kathleen Lake as you follow the Kokanee Trail along an accessible boardwalk. Learn about the kokanee salmon who live in the lake and enjoy the view from one of the benches along the way.
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