Senior Trail Accessibility Specialist

Andris Vanags

16 years designing forest paths where older adults can truly explore. From Tērvete's fairy tale woodland to accessible pine trails across Latvia.

The Journey

How a Grandmother's Walk Changed Everything

It started simple. Andris's grandmother loved forests — the smell of pine, the way light filtered through leaves, the quiet. But after she turned 70, the trails near Bauska became too difficult. Uneven surfaces. Nowhere to rest. No clear markers. She stopped going. And that frustrated Andris more than he expected.

He wasn't going to accept that. Instead of complaining about it, he studied environmental management at Latvia University of Life Sciences and Forestry. Then he started volunteering with local hiking groups. He wanted to understand exactly what made trails hard for older people — not assumptions, but real experience walking alongside them.

That was 16 years ago. Today, Andris has audited over 120 kilometers of Latvian forest trails. He's trained 200+ park rangers in universal design principles. His 2019 research on senior mobility patterns in woodland environments got published in the Journal of European Forest Recreation. But he's most proud of Tērvete National Park becoming a model for accessible forest tourism in the entire Baltic region.

What drives him? Simple: age and physical ability shouldn't stop anyone from experiencing Latvia's natural beauty. Every forest path should welcome everyone.

Core Knowledge

What Andris Knows

Forest Trail Design

Accessible surface materials, drainage systems, incline angles, and seasonal maintenance that actually work for older walkers.

Universal Design Standards

WCAG principles applied to outdoor spaces. Rest areas, wayfinding, lighting, and surface conditions that meet real accessibility needs.

Tērvete Park Pathways

Deep knowledge of Tērvete National Park's fairy tale woodland trails, their history, seasonal variations, and how to navigate them safely.

Pine Woodland Ecosystems

Latvian forest composition, seasonal conditions affecting walking safety, and how environmental factors impact different ability levels.

Senior Mobility Patterns

Published research on how older adults move through woodland environments, what challenges they face, and how design prevents or enables participation.

Municipality Partnerships

Worked with 40+ Latvian municipalities to assess, plan, and implement accessible trail networks. Knows the practical side of making change happen.

In Conversation

Questions About Trail Design and Older Adults

Why does trail accessibility matter so much to you?

My grandmother showed me that a beautiful forest path doesn't mean anything if you can't actually walk it. Age isn't something that happens suddenly at 70 — it's gradual. And at every stage, people want to be outside. They want to experience nature. We shouldn't design trails that exclude people based on mobility level. That's not good design; that's just lazy thinking.

What's the most common accessibility mistake you see on Latvian forest trails?

Hands down: no rest areas. Someone designs a beautiful two-kilometer path but forgets that older walkers need places to sit every 300-400 meters. Not because they're weak — because that's how the human body works. Add benches with armrests, maybe a small shelter for bad weather, and suddenly the same trail works for way more people. It's not complicated, but it's overlooked constantly.

Tērvete Park is special. What makes it different?

Tērvete's management gets it. They understand that a fairy tale park isn't just for children running around. Older visitors want to walk the woodland paths, discover the sculptures, experience the magic too. The park invested in proper surfaces, clear wayfinding, adequate resting points, and seasonal maintenance. When you visit in summer versus spring, the paths are still walkable. That's intentional care, not accident.

What should someone know before walking Latvian pine woodland trails?

Pine forests are beautiful but they're not flat. Roots, exposed stone, slight elevation changes — these are normal. The ground is usually well-drained, which is good for walkers. But wear proper footwear with good grip. Bring water. Know your own limits and don't push past them just to reach some endpoint. The trail will still be beautiful at half the distance. Start with sections you know you can handle comfortably, then gradually explore further.

How has your thinking about accessible design changed over 16 years?

Early on, I thought accessibility was about ramps and handrails. Important, sure. But I've learned it's much bigger. It's about sightlines — can you see where the path goes? It's about color contrast on signs so you can actually read them. It's about surface consistency so your feet aren't constantly adjusting. It's about time of day — a trail that feels safe and visible at noon might feel risky at dusk. Real accessibility is thinking through every detail from the perspective of someone whose body works differently than yours.

What's next for you and accessible forest tourism?

I want to see accessible trail networks become standard across Latvia, not special exceptions. The technology exists. The knowledge exists. What we need is more municipalities treating accessibility as normal design practice, not an afterthought. I'm also interested in documenting seasonal variations more — how trails change from spring to winter and what that means for different user groups. Forest management and accessibility planning should happen together, not separately.

Background

Education & Experience

Education

Bachelor of Environmental Management

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Forestry (LLUFB), Jelgava

2010

Specialization: Sustainable Forest Tourism

LLUFB

2010

Universal Design Certification Program

European Accessibility Network

2015

Professional Experience

Senior Trail Accessibility Specialist

Halovenum Ltd

2018 – Present

Trail Accessibility Manager

Tērvete National Park

2014 – 2018

Junior Recreation Officer

Bauska Municipality Parks Department

2010 – 2014

Key Achievements

Audited 120+ kilometers of Latvian forest trails for accessibility compliance

Trained 200+ park rangers and trail maintainers in universal design principles

Published research: "Senior Mobility Patterns in Woodland Environments" — Journal of European Forest Recreation, 2019

Partnered with 40+ municipalities to develop accessible trail networks

Established Tērvete National Park as Baltic model for accessible forest tourism

Approach

How Andris Thinks About Trail Design

Holistic Assessment

A good trail isn't just about the surface. Andris examines sightlines so walkers can see what's ahead. He checks wayfinding — can you actually read the signs? He looks at seasonal changes and how rain or frost affects walkability. Rest areas with proper seating and handrails. Lighting conditions at different times of day. Every detail matters because every detail either helps someone walk safely or it doesn't.

Listen First, Design Second

Andris doesn't assume what older adults need. He walks trails alongside them. He asks questions. He observes where they pause, where they struggle, where they feel confident. That real-world knowledge beats any theory. When municipalities work with him, the first thing he does is arrange walks with actual users. That conversation shapes everything that comes next.

Practical Over Perfect

You don't need to rebuild every forest trail from scratch. Sometimes a trail becomes accessible through smart repairs — better drainage here, a bench there, clearer markers. Andris works with what exists and improves it systematically. He's realistic about budgets and timelines. But he never compromises on the core principle: the trail should welcome everyone.

Dignity in Design

Accessibility isn't charity. It's not about feeling sorry for people. It's about respecting that older adults want the same thing everyone else does — to experience nature, move at their own pace, and enjoy a forest walk without barriers. When a trail is accessible, nobody needs to be grateful for it. It's just normal. That's the goal.

Articles by Andris

Practical guides and insights on forest trails, accessibility, and enjoying Latvian woodlands safely.

Getting Started at Tērvete Park

First time visiting Tērvete's fairy tale woodland? Here's what you need to know before you go — from which paths are most accessible to what to expect seasonally.

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Pine Woodland Paths: Best Routes for Comfort

Not all forest trails are created equal. Andris breaks down what makes certain pine woodland paths more comfortable and sustainable for older walkers.

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What to Pack for Safe and Comfortable Trail Days

The right gear makes the difference. A practical checklist of what to bring when walking forest trails, with reasoning behind each item.

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Health Benefits of Regular Forest Walking

Why forest walking matters beyond just "getting outside." What the research shows about movement, mental health, and quality of life.

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Ready to Explore Forest Trails?

Andris's guides and insights help you walk confidently in Latvian woodlands. Start with the basics or dive deeper — everything you need is here.

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