For years, adaptive athlete Enock Glidden, of Rumford, said he had to travel to Maine’s coast to find trails accessible to wheelchair users, people using mobility devices, parents pushing strollers and older adults seeking gentler terrain.

That is beginning to change in western Maine.

New and improved accessible trail options now include Buck’s Ledge, Inland Woods + Trails’ Rumford Community Forest, and longtime favorites such as Davis Park and Valentine Farm.

Glidden said more accessible trails are on the way as land managers increasingly prioritize accessibility while recognizing Maine’s aging population.

He has seen that progress firsthand. Once a student at Maine Adaptive, Glidden now serves as the organization’s program coordinator. An avid skier, rock climber and hiker, he has also participated in tennis, basketball, paragliding and skydiving. Among his most notable accomplishments was a five-day ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

Since 2016, Glidden has chronicled his outdoor adventures as a blogger for Maine Trail Finder. More recently, he and Alex Sukeforth co-founded Outdoor Access Solutions, a website that broadens the conversation about accessibility beyond mobility impairments, doing accessibility assessments, trainings and more. Trail descriptions may include soundscapes for people with autism or other cognitive disabilities, for example, or note the presence of rope handrails that can benefit hikers who are blind or have low vision.

For Glidden, accessibility begins with good information. He wants trail descriptions that clearly explain width, surface conditions and terrain. His preferred surface is 3/8-inch crushed aggregate mixed with stone dust. He also looks for accessible parking with extra room to unload mobility equipment, accessible restrooms, benches that accommodate wheelchair users and picnic tables with open spaces where a bench has been removed to allow wheelchair access.

RUMFORD COMMUNITY FOREST, RUMFORD

Accessible trail: Scotty Brook Trail is a 0.2-mile ADA-accessible trail within Inland Woods + Trails’ 2.2-mile Rumford Community Forest trail network.

Trail features: Hard-packed crushed stone surface, accessible parking, switchbacks and extensive bench cuts — a construction technique that creates a wider, more stable trail by cutting into a hillside. The trail winds through the forest and passes near Scotty Brook.

Parking: 161 Isthmus Road, off Route 120.

Restrooms: No accessible restrooms at the trailhead. Public restrooms may be available at the Rumford Information Center or nearby businesses.

BUCK’S LEDGE, WOODSTOCK

Accessible trail: The Trail for All is a 0.5-mile accessible lollipop loop within Buck’s Ledge’s 4.8-mile trail network, managed by the town of Woodstock.

Trail features: A 72-inch-wide hard-packed stone dust surface accommodates a range of mobility devices. The trail features gentle grades, scenic overlooks, boulders, artwork, accessible benches and picnic tables with wheelchair cutouts.

Parking: Visitors with disability placards or limited mobility may drive beyond the gate on the logging road to an accessible parking area near the overlook. The main trailhead is on the north side of Route 26 in Bryant Pond, about 4.4 miles north of the Route 26/Route 219 intersection.

Restrooms: Accessible restroom available at the lower parking area.

DAVIS PARK AND VALENTINE FARM, BETHEL

Accessible Trail: Because the accessible parts of Davis Park/Bethel Pathway and Valentine Farm are connected, they offer about 3 miles of interconnected accessible trail (0.9 mile paved from Davis Park plus 1.2 miles at Valentine Farm plus the accessible connector), making it one of the longest accessible trail experiences in western Maine.

Trail features: At Valentine, the trails are unpaved and pass through woods and fields with views of the Androscoggin River, a large pollinator garden and a storybook walk. The trails connect to the paved Bethel Pathway trails, creating a longer continuous accessible route.

Parking: Ample and accessible parking at Valentine Farm, 162 North Road or Davis Park, Route 26 and Parkway Road.

Restrooms: At Valentine farm, accessible restrooms are available at the Conservation Center during operating hours. At Davis Park, a porta-potty is available.

PONDICHERRY PARK, BRIDGTON

Accessible trail: A 0.7-mile universally accessible trail within the park’s 2.3-mile trail network. The accessible route follows parts of the Pondicherry Loop and Willet Brook Trail. The universally accessible natural-surface trails offer an accessible nature experience in the heart of a downtown.

Trail features: Six-foot-wide hard-packed gravel surface with grades and cross slopes generally under 2% (running grades no more than about 5% in some areas). The route includes flush bridges, boardwalks, benches, rest areas, forest and brook views, and is suitable for many wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Parking: Accessible from the Depot Street/Bob Dunning Bridge entrance or the Willett Road entrance. Free public parking is available behind Reny’s on Depot Street.

Restrooms: No public restrooms are available within the park. Public facilities may be available at nearby downtown businesses or municipal buildings.

SWIFT RIVER WALKING TRAIL, RUMFORD

Accessible trail: A 0.5-mile paved, wheelchair-accessible trail (1 mile round trip) that follows the Swift River through Hosmer Field Athletic Complex.

Trail features: The 6-foot-wide paved path has mostly gentle grades and is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility devices. It includes benches at regular intervals, a fully accessible bridge, distance markers and scenic views of the Swift River through a wooded corridor. Some sections may have minor pavement bumps from tree roots, and low-lying areas can flood during periods of high water.

Parking: Accessible parking is available at the north trailhead near Hosmer Field Athletic Complex, 662 Hancock St., Rumford. Additional parking is available along Hosmer Lane. Swift River Walking Trail

Restrooms: No public restrooms are along the trail. Restrooms may be available seasonally at the adjacent athletic complex during events.