Barrier-free beach access is an important goal for many municipalities, spa administrations, and beach operators – for people in wheelchairs, families with strollers, and elderly guests. Permanent paths are complex and expensive. A mobile beach path made of pathway tiles is a quick and flexible alternative. We show you what matters during planning.
1. Determine the route: Where should the path lead?
The first step is to decide where the beach path should lead: from the parking lot or promenade over the dunes to the water, to the beach chair rental, or to the lifeguard tower. Measure the distance and plan for turning areas or passing points.
2. Calculate the number of tiles
With TRAIL-MATE CLASSIC (90 × 90 cm), you need about 11 tiles for a 10-meter path. With TRAIL-MATE FLEX (45 × 90 cm), it is about 23 tiles for 10 meters. For long beach paths and permanent use, we recommend CLASSIC; for changing locations and events, FLEX.
3. Material: Saltwater and UV-resistant
Sun, saltwater, and wind take their toll at the beach. TRAIL-MATE pathway tiles are UV and saltwater resistant and can therefore remain in place for longer periods – ideal for the entire bathing season.
4. Securely fasten
To ensure the mobile beach path does not slip, the tiles are secured in the sand with long TRAIL-MATE PINS 40 cm. The Velcro connections also hold the tiles together. How well this holds was proven at the Surf Festival in Warnemünde: the 70-meter-long path withstood strong winds of up to 35 knots.
5. Consider emergency access routes
A beach access point can also serve as an emergency route. TRAIL-MATE pathway tiles can support up to 3.5 tons, making them accessible for emergency and rescue vehicles.
6. Off-season storage
After the season, the tiles are folded up and stored in a space-saving manner. Thanks to the handle opening, they are easy to carry – dismantling is quick.
7. Check for funding opportunities
Many states and tourism associations support measures for accessible tourism. It is worth asking about suitable funding programs before purchasing.
Practical experience: Langeoog, Föhr, and Warnemünde
TRAIL-MATE beach paths are already in place on Langeoog, we have been deployed multiple times with mobile beach paths on the island of Föhr, and at the Surf Festival hosted by Open Ocean e.V. in Warnemünde, we laid out a 70-meter-long path across the beach.
Consultation and Quote
Are you planning a barrier-free beach access? We would be happy to advise you on length, number of tiles, and tiered pricing for municipalities and businesses. You can find more information on our page Mobile beach path for municipalities and beach operators – or request a quote directly.