We're Making Distant Hill More Accessible!
“Disability is the only identity that anyone can suddenly take on at any time.”
Meeting Our Mission
The mission of Distant Hill is to make nature and the outdoors accessible to everyone. With our TerrainHopper we will empower children and adults, regardless of their ability, to develop a close connection with the natural world.
Explore Distant Hill With Our New TerrainHopper
Are you a person with a mobility limitation who would like to utilize our TerrainHopper? Do you have a disability that prevents you from enjoying Distant Hill Nature Trail?
The TerrainHopper is all about having fun and exploring! It’s like a little off-road vehicle that lets you enjoy the outdoors. You can cruise along at a comfy pace of up to 4 miles per hour, making it easy to take in your surroundings. Plus, the seat rotates 90 degrees, making getting in and out a breeze. It's designed to help you feel more independent and ready for your next adventure!
Distant Hill is excited to offer our new TerrainHopper, free of charge by reservation, to individuals with mobility limitations for up to two hours between May 1 and October 31.
In January 2026, Distant Hill received a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to purchase a TerrainHopper mobility vehicle!
The TerrainHopper will allow individuals with mobility limitations to explore most of our trail network and gardens, and enjoy the natural beauty of Distant Hill. It is designed to navigate rugged terrain, including forest trails, roots, rocks, and hills, providing access to areas of the property that are otherwise difficult or impossible to reach with standard mobility devices.
We also have a portable track-and-lift system, as well as transfer boards, to support riders in transferring into and out of the TerrainHopper. Our goal is to reduce barriers to access and create more inclusive opportunities for our community members to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
If you’ve been wanting to spend time immersed in nature at Distant Hill or to join one of our workshops, we invite you to reserve the TerrainHopper at no cost and experience the outdoors from a new perspective.
Email Hannah Silverblank, Trail Accessibility Program Coordinator at Distant Hill, with a date and time that works for you. [email protected]
This project is about more than just the equipment; it’s about equity, dignity, and belonging. Access to nature should never depend on physical ability, and the TerrainHopper brings us significantly closer to fulfilling our mission at Distant Hill:
"To Make Nature & the Outdoors Accessible to Everyone!"
The video above shows the first test drive of the TerrainHopper by a wheelchair user. We have hired several people with mobility limitations to test the rig, and share feedback about their experience.
Some TerrainHopper Specifics
- It can accommodate most body types, up to 350 pounds.
- Drives with a handlebar, joystick, or by an adult with a joystick walking alongside.
- An adult caregiver, family member, or friend must accompany the visitor using the TerrainHopper and take responsibility for assisting transfer on and off the device.
- Distant Hill staff will be available for all TerrainHopper outings, if needed.
- Use will be limited to the trails and paths designated for the TerrainHopper.
- Other conditions and limits may apply for safety and equitable access to the device.
Flexible and Accessible Controls
The TerrainHopper offers several control options to meet different mobility needs, making it easier for more visitors to enjoy the trails:
- Handlebar steering and throttle control
- Joystick control
- Assisted joystick operation, where a companion or volunteer helps guide the vehicle
Support from Our Team
Our trained volunteers are available to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience.
Reserve Your Ride
Are you interested in exploring Distant Hill with our TerrainHopper?
For Partner Organizations and Assisted Living Communities
We also welcome disability service organizations, rehabilitation programs, assisted living communities, and other community groups that support people with mobility limitations to incorporate the TerrainHopper into a visit to Distant Hill.
We currently have one TerrainHopper available, and riders typically reserve individual two-hour time slots through our online booking system. Organizations are also welcome to plan group visits, during which participants can enjoy the property and our wheelchair-accessible trail system while one person at a time uses the TerrainHopper to explore the broader trail network.
Our Trail Accessibility Program Volunteers will be available to help ensure riders feel comfortable and supported. They can:
- Provide a brief orientation on operating the TerrainHopper
- Assist with transfers into and out of the vehicle, if needed
- Help riders navigate the trail system safely
- Answer questions and help make the experience enjoyable
If your organization is interested in bringing participants to Distant Hill, we encourage you to contact us in advance so we can help coordinate timing and answer any questions about the TerrainHopper or accessibility on the property. In some circumstances, and depending on volunteer availability, we may be able to accommodate bookings that extend beyond the typical two-hour window.
We’re excited to work with community partners to help more people experience the beauty and benefits of time in nature. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to explore ways we can collaborate.
Contact:
Hannah Silverblank, Trail Accessibility Program Coordinator
Please Support Our Generous Sponsors
Distant Hill was listed as one of the Top 10 Places to Visit in New Hampshire!
or send a check via Snail Mail to:
Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail, 507 March Hill Road, Walpole, NH 03608
Friends of Distant Hill (dba Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail) is a nonprofit,
tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Tax ID# 84-3765898