On Friday, June 27, 2025, the beautiful setting of the Deiva State Forest, located in Sassello (SV) in Italy, hosted an inspiring accessible hike dedicated to inclusion and the enjoyment of natural heritage by everyone.
Organized by D.A.F.N.E as part of the final event of the DIANA project, the initiative welcomed people with motor, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, who were guided along a nature trail specifically designed to be fully accessible and inclusive.
A location chosen for a reason: in recent years, the Beigua Park has launched several small initiatives here to make the area more inclusive and accessible.
The event began at 9:45 AM, with participants gathering at the forest entrance parking area for registration and a welcome briefing led by Environmental Hiking Guides (GAEs), specially trained in accessible outdoor experiences. The guide Ilaria accompanied a group of people with physical or intellectual disabilities and visually impaired participants up to Castello Bellavista, and then involved them in the sensory trail set up at Il Pollaio, the area dedicated to environmental education located at the entrance of the forest.
At 10:30 AM, the inclusive hike began, thanks also to the use of Joelette trekking wheelchairs and other assistive equipment, made available by CAI Liguria Region and the volunteers of CAI Ligure Section – Genoa and the Arenzano subsection, which made it possible to overcome natural obstacles and ensure that nature could be enjoyed by all. Along the trail, participants experienced:
- Sensory activities along the path
- Environmental interpretation moments
- Sharing of best practices on accessibility in natural settings
The event was enriched by the active participation of project partners – KOAN and Balkania – and by representatives from the Beigua Regional Park, highlighting the institutional support for inclusive nature access.
The morning concluded with a light lunch, where each participant contributed something to share. This informal gathering offered a valuable opportunity to connect and exchange experiences among people with disabilities, trained guides, project partners, and park representatives.
This hike was a concrete step toward more inclusive and equitable access to natural environments, showing that with the right training, tools, and cooperation, nature can truly be for everyone.
