These days adventure holidays are more popular than ever, both with the people who are passionate about rock climbing, scuba diving, canoeing and other adventurous pursuits and complete beginners. Facilities are springing up all over the world and the boom is just getting up steam.
For most adventure holidays you don’t have to be super-fit, but to trek through the European Alps or the Andes you do need to be able to walk a fair distance each day and carry a moderately heavy rucksack. To go rock climbing you need four sound limbs (although some dedicated climbers do incredible things with less) and you can’t safely scuba dive if you’re heavily asthmatic. Nine times out of ten a basic level of fitness is required, and in fact, an adventure holiday can be a great way to boost your fitness and lose a few pounds.
However, not everyone is lucky enough to be fully able-bodied, and those who have physical disabilities are often those who need a break the most. The elderly and disabled face mobility problems every day. While facilities are improving across the board, that still means being denied access to a great deal that other people take for granted.
Adventurous activities for the less physically able are harder to come by but they are out there, no matter who you are. For those who are simply less equipped to walk long distances it’s just a matter of choosing the right activity. White-water rafting and flat water canoeing do require some physicality (the ability to swim is useful but not essential with the right guide) but they are good options for those without a lot of muscle power. You don’t need to be particularly strong, especially for flat water canoe touring. In many cases it’s not so much a case of paddling forward as keeping the boat straight while it drifts slowly downriver but the views are still beautiful and you still get the excitement of being out on the water.
Horse riding is another good activity for those who struggle with walking for one reason or another. Most pony trekking and horse-riding holidays cater for complete beginners of almost any fitness level and age, but there are also specialist providers who exist solely to help people who are normally wheelchair bound experience the freedom and fun of horse riding along the beach or up in the hills- places that would normally be very difficult to access.
The biggest mountain peaks are usually the most remote. It stands to reason that the higher the mountain, the longer and more difficult the walk to the top, but it doesn’t always work that way. The tallest mountains are also the most famous. For that reason they are sometimes the most developed for tourist activity and the best equipped for less able visitors. Snowdon is the highest mountain in England or Wales. Mount Washington is the highest in the northeastern USA. Both are serviced but narrow gauge trains right up to the summit, although the Mount Washington station is not fully equipped for wheelchair users. Access to the high mountains is difficult to find but it does exist.
There are numerous charities and foundations that can help disabled people enjoy outdoor pursuits. These are usually the best place to look for help and advice about adventure holidays for the profoundly disabled and they’ll be able to tell you what the options are in your area or further from home. It doesn’t matter if you’re confined to a wheelchair or your knees simply aren’t what they used to be, there are holiday and adventure opportunities in the outdoor world.
Jess Spate is a former rock climbing instructor who now edits Outdoor Equipment Online, a price comparison website where you can find a whole range of outdoor clothing and climbing gear. She also works for Appalachian Outdoors, one of America’s best outdoor footwear and clothing retailers.
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