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Trail Stress
Features that make a trail difficult or impossible for someone with a disability
TO RECAP Trail Features and Trail Stress
Trail Stress refers to characteristics of the trail (e.g., its cross-grades, width obstacles, and surface) that make a person with a disability uncomfortable (Stressors) OR force them to abandon their walk (Barriers).
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Whether a characteristic is a stressor or barrier depends largely on the nature of the person's disability, but also on skills and confidence they might have gained through walking other trails.​​​​​
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Our grade ratings are based on the Universal Access (UA) Standards - we link to specific pages wherever possible.
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Trail Barriers
The ADA and related legislation primarily on identifying removing barriers that prevent a person with a disability from enjoying a facility and/or program. Listed below are examples of barriers encountered on paths and trails that will prevent some people (depending on the nature of their disability) from enjoying a walk in a park of preserve.
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Trail Stress
While some trail features are barriers (e.g., preventing some people with disabilities from continuing their walk), other features are sources of stress (e.g., people with disabilities might find the trail challenging but can continue their walk).
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Stressors be uncomfortable tics of the trail (e.g., its cross-grades, width obstacles, and surface) that
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Cross Grades
RATINGS​
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A+ 2% maximum Cross Grades - the Standard for Shared Use Paths (Trails for All People, p. 68)
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A 5% maximum Cross Grades - the Standard for UA Trails (Trails for All People, p. 30)
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A- Up to 3 30' isolated sections with 5-10% maximum Cross Grades, and not combined with any other source of Trail Stress rated A- or worse
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B 5-10% Cross-Grades of any length OR up to 3 30' sections rated A- for Cross-Grades and for at least one other source of Trail Stress rated A-
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C Greater than 10% Cross-Grades
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​​Example Sections of the Pocopson Park Path (pictured left), a walking path that include 5-10% cross grades that merit an A- rating that wheelchair users might find stressful.
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DEFINITION A slope perpendicular to the direction of travel such that you feel like your are tilted sideways.
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Sections with increased Cross-Grades can create stress or barriers
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Wheelchair users may need to correct their route to prevent drifting off of the path when faced with cross-grades greater than 5%
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Those with poor balance may find to difficult to readjust when Cross Grades exceed 10%​​​​​
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Obstacles
DEFINITION Anything that protrudes above the surface of a path or trail that a walker cannot simply step around but must step over
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Obstacles can cause stress or create barriers.
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A 3" high root across the width of the trail can create stress for someone with poor balance who is worried that they might trip over it.
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Two roots that are each 1 1/2" high, that stretch across the width of the trail, and that are separated by less than 48" can create a barrier for someone using a wheelchair who can become trapped in between them
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Note that obstacles are ignored on Walking Paths and Trails if there is a 36" wide path around them (or 32" wide for a short section)
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RATINGS​
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A+ Maximum 1/2" high on asphalt, or concrete paths and boardwalks - the Standard for Shared Use Paths (Trails for All People, p. 69)
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A No more than 2" high on stone dust or natural surface trails - the Standard for UA Trails (Trails for All People, p. 33)
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A- Up to 3 30' isolated sections with obstacles across the width of the trail up to 3" high OR that are 1-2" high but separated by less than 48"
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B Sections rated A- for Obstacles that are longer OR that also include least one other source of Trail Stress rated A-
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C Obstacles higher than 3"​
​​Example One section of the PennDel Trail (pictured left), includes roots up to 2" high that extend across the width of the trail without a 48" gap, meriting a Rating of A- for Obstacles
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Width
DEFINITION The width of the trail at its surface.
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Narrow sections can cause stress or create barriers
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A trail less than 3' wide can create stress for a person with a disability who needs to lean on a friend's arm for support and may find the 3' width too narrow
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A wheelchair user needs 36" to comfortably navigate, though they can pass through a specific opening as little as 32" wide if needed (see below). A gap less than 32" wide becomes a barrier than forces the wheelchair user to turn around.
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RATINGS​
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A+ 10' - the Standard for Shared Use Paths (Trails for All People, p. 68)
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A At least 3-5' - if less than 5', must have Passing Spaces at least every 1000'. Width can also decrease to 32" for up to 24" to pass an obstacle. These are the Standard for UA Trails (Trails for All People, p. 31). Margot's stroller could not pass through this 31.75" (see left).
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A- 3' wide, with no Passing Spaces and with no sections less than 3' wide that include other sources of Trail Stress rated A- or lower
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B 18"-3' wide with no sections rated A- or lower for Obstacles, Cross Grades, or Running Grades.
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C Less than 18" wide OR sections that are 3' wide but also rated B or C for another source of Trail Stress.
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​​Example The Whitely Farm Loop in White Clay Creek State Park ( walking path) is at least 36" wide, though it sometimes narrows by 1-2 inches to squeeze between trees. This is illustrated here with Margot's 32" wide special needs trailer barely squeezing through.
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Tread Surface
DEFINITION Is the trail surface: (a) clear - e.g., you can see where the surface is within an inch or two; (b) firm - e.g., you do not sink into the surface, and; (c) stable - e.g., the surface remains consistent regardless of the weather.​​​​​​​​
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Sections with a surface that is not clear, firm, and stable can be a source of stress if not a barrier, depending on the person's disability.
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A soft section of trail becomes a barrier to a wheelchair user who sinks in and cannot get out, but a source of stress for a parent pushing a small-wheeled stroller.
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A soft or slippery section becomes a source of stress for a user with poor balance is worried about falling.​​​​​​​
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RATINGS​
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A+ Asphalt, concrete, or boardwalk - the Standard for Shared Use Paths (Trails for All People, p. 69)
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A Gravel surface that is clear, firm, and stable ​- the Standard for UA Trails (Trails for All People, p. 31)
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A- Grass or dirt surface that is:
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(a) clear;
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(b) generally firm - e.g., not enough to leave a footprint with more than a 1/2" rim or wheel rut more than 1" deep), and;
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(c) generally stable - e.g., except after exceptionally prolonged or significant rainfall
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B Generally clear, but includes up to 3 30' sections that are not firm and stable - e.g., a foot may sink up to 1" with or a bicycle / wheelchair / stroller wheel up to 2"
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C Falls short of the criteria above​​
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​​Example The Prickly Pear Trail near Delaware's beaches (pictured right) is a beautiful walk through the sea pines. It includes an option to return on a section that is hard-packed and would be rated A EXCEPT for 2 short stretches that are all sand, into which Margot's special needs trailer quickly sank almost 2 inches, meriting a B rating.
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Improvements to remove barriers and reduce stress
RATINGS​
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A+ Asphalt, concrete, or boardwalk - the Standard for Shared Use Paths (Trails for All People, p. 69)
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A Gravel surface that is clear, firm, and stable ​- the Standard for UA Trails (Trails for All People, p. 31)
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A- Grass or dirt surface that is:
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(a) clear;
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(b) generally firm - e.g., not enough to leave a footprint with more than a 1/2" rim or wheel rut more than 1" deep), and;
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(c) generally stable - e.g., except after exceptionally prolonged or significant rainfall
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B Generally clear, but includes up to 3 30' sections that are not firm and stable - e.g., a foot may sink up to 1" with or a bicycle / wheelchair / stroller wheel up to 2"
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C Falls short of the criteria above​​
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​​Example The Prickly Pear Trail near Delaware's beaches (pictured right) is a beautiful walk through the sea pines. It includes an option to return on a section that is hard-packed and would be rated A EXCEPT for 2 short stretches that are all sand, into which Margot's special needs trailer quickly sank almost 2 inches, meriting a B rating.
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