T203.1  General.  Where trails connecting to designated trailheads or accessible trails are provided, they shall comply with T303.  Where elements or spaces are provided on trails complying with T303, they shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter T2 and Chapter T3.

Advisory T203.1  General.  These technical provisions apply only to newly designed and constructed trails, and altered portions of existing pedestrian trails that connect to an accessible trail or designated trailhead.  Where new trails connect to existing inaccessible trails or do not connect to a designated trailhead, the technical provisions do not apply.  However, trails should not be intentionally separated from an accessible trail or designated trailhead to avoid the technical provisions.  Accessible elements complying with T306 through T322 located along a trail are not required to be connected by an outdoor recreation access route.

Trails include, but are not limited to, a trail through a forested park, a shared use path, or a back country trail.  Trails covered by section T203 do not include pathways such as sidewalks, pathways in amusement parks, commercial theme parks, carnivals, or between buildings on college campuses.  These exterior accessible routes are covered by the revised ABA accessibility guidelines.

A trail designed, designated, and constructed for pedestrian use may also have other uses, such as bicycling or in-line skating.  Section T203 applies only to trails where travel on foot is one of the designated uses for which the trail was created.  For example, a trail designed specifically for mountain biking would not be considered a “pedestrian trail” whether or not pedestrians actually use the trail.  However, a multi-use trail designated for both hiking and mountain biking would be considered a pedestrian trail and subject to these provisions.

Many trails are used as non motorized transportation facilities.  Users may include bicyclists and skaters as well as pedestrians.  The accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas apply to these trails.  However, bicyclists and skaters have design needs that may exceed the minimum guidelines for trails in some areas.  Where there are differences, the more stringent provision should be applied.