The project Nature Access to All (NatAc) aimed at facilitating access to nature tourism by developing a chain of accessible nature tourism sites in Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

The project was active from 2019 to 2021.

14 nature sites in three regions – Western Latvia, Western Estonia and Southwest Finland – were improved and made accessible to all, including people with disabilities, seniors or families travelling with baby-strollers etc.

A travel guide and a website were published, giving information on accessible nature tourism destinations in western Latvia, western Estonia and southwest Finland, Kurjenrahka National Park.

An accessible nature trail in Kurjenrahka National Park

The new Karpalopolku nature trail was opened on the Finnish Nature Day 28th August 2021. It is accessible for many kinds of hikers.

The path is accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Due to a few climbs, assistance is recommended for wheelchairs. The guiding signs along the route serve the visually impaired, too.

• An accessible video presenting Karpalopolku trail (youtube.com)
• Read more about accessible services in Kurjenrahka National Park (nationalparks.fi)

The project was a joint co-operation venture with

Kurzeme Planning Region (kurzemesregions.lv), Latvia as a lead partner

and

• NGO West-Estonia Tourism (westestonia.com), Estonia
• Environmental Board (keskkonnaamet.ee), Estonia
• Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland

The project budget was 762 931,78 euros. This interreg Central Baltic Project was financied by the EU Regional Development Fund.

Contact information

In Finland:

Senior specialist Laura Lehtonen
Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland
laura.lehtonen@metsa.fi