EscursionAble: A Trail That Makes the Mountains More Accessible

Mountains are often associated with adventure and exploration, but they are not always seen as accessible places. EscursionAble was created to challenge this perception, demonstrating that nature, inclusion, and tourism can successfully come together along the same trail.

The name combines the Italian word escursionismo (hiking) with the English adjective able, reflecting the project's goal of creating a route that can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

One of the trail's most distinctive features is that it can also be explored using a joëlette, a specially designed all-terrain wheelchair that enables people with physical disabilities to enjoy hiking with the support of companions.

The route winds through the surroundings of Balme, in the Lanzo Valleys, crossing forests, alpine meadows, and scenic viewpoints that showcase the beauty of the Alpine landscape. Along the way, interactive and multisensory installations encourage visitors to observe, listen, and touch their surroundings, transforming the walk into an immersive experience that engages sight, hearing, and touch.

The trail reaches Alpe Arbosetta, the highest point of the route, before descending through mountain hamlets, streams, and natural areas where information panels introduce visitors to the local flora, including maple, beech, and larch trees.

More than just a hiking trail, EscursionAble represents a different way of experiencing the mountains—one where accessibility is not an added feature, but an integral part of the experience from the very beginning.

At Heimat, we believe that initiatives like this show how inclusive tourism can also enhance natural environments, making Piedmont's extraordinary landscapes more accessible and enjoyable for an ever-growing number of people.

Through our Accessible Piedmont series, we will continue to highlight projects that put people first and promote everyone's right to experience cities, mountains, nature, and culture.

Source

This article is inspired by the EscursionAble project and presents an original editorial adaptation for informational purposes.