How to Walk Safely with Low Vision: Routes, Crossings, and Landmarks

Start with a route you already know

The length of the route isn’t the only thing that matters for a walk. Think about where you feel confident finding your way, which sidewalks are even, and which crossings make it easier for you to assess the situation. If your vision changes depending on the lighting, fatigue, or glare, choose conditions in which it’s easier for you to see where you’re going.

You don’t have to plan a new loop for your first walk on your own. Take a familiar route to a store, park, or bus stop, and shorten it to one easy-to-follow stretch if needed. If you want to gradually increase the distance, you may find ideas in our article on how to build up your walking distance.

• Choose a sidewalk with a clear edge and, if possible, no sudden narrow spots.
• Make a note of places where the surface changes or there are steps, construction work, or parked scooters.
• Prefer a route with fewer challenging crossings, even if it’s a little longer.
• Think about where you can stop and get your bearings calmly: by a building wall, a bench, or an entrance.
• If a stretch is unfamiliar, walk it with a companion or a specialist first rather than testing the route on your own.

The surface matters: an even sidewalk is usually easier to navigate than a route with potholes, slippery tiles, or frequent curbs. Our article on route surfaces offers more ideas about what to look for when choosing a path.

Build your route around clear landmarks

A landmark is useful if you can recognize it reliably and understand what it means—for example, that you need to turn after it or that a crossing is coming up. Choose noticeable features that stay in the same place, rather than things that can change easily. A visual landmark might be a brightly colored door or a high-contrast corner of a building; an auditory one might be a fountain or noisy ventilation; a tactile one might be a change in the surface underfoot.

Don’t try to memorize the whole route as a long chain of street names. Break it into short stretches: “leave home — walk along the fence — reach a wide street — cross at the signal — turn by the pharmacy.” That makes it easier to notice if you’ve missed a turn and figure out where you are.

Cross streets with a plan, not by guesswork

Before crossing, stop somewhere safe and locate the start of the crossing. If there’s a pedestrian signal, use a signal you can access—visual, auditory, or tactile. Make sure you’re at the right crossing and facing it, then cross without rushing while the walk signal is on.

The sound of traffic can help you understand what’s happening, but it can’t guarantee that the way is clear. In a study of pedestrians with visual impairments, participants in some conditions couldn’t hear approaching traffic early enough. So don’t rely only on a pause in the noise, especially at an uncontrolled crossing or near a complicated intersection. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to wait for help or choose another route.

1. Approach the crossing along a familiar sidewalk line and stop before the edge of the road.
2. Find the signal button, if there is one, and wait for a signal you know how to recognize.
3. Before you start moving, check that you’re facing the right direction to cross.
4. Walk straight and steadily; don’t change direction because of noise or people moving nearby.
5. If the signal isn’t working, the crossing is too wide, or cars turn across your path, don’t guess when to go—ask for help or choose another crossing.

Accessible pedestrian signals were studied at four intersections with 56 blind pedestrians. After the signals were installed, participants found it easier to decide independently when it was safe to cross and to start walking on the walk signal. This result applies to the intersections studied and doesn’t guarantee that all devices will work the same way. Our article on walking with a cane covers another orientation tool.

Contrast can help, but conditions change what you see

A high-contrast object can sometimes be easier to see than an object that’s a similar color to its background. But there’s no one color or type of landmark that works for everyone: people differ in their visual fields, contrast sensitivity, sensitivity to glare, and depth perception. If a landmark is no longer reliable, replace it with an auditory or tactile cue.

In a study of mobility in adults with low vision, visual field and contrast sensitivity measures were linked to how participants navigated unfamiliar routes; a visual acuity test alone wasn’t enough to assess everyday mobility. That’s another reason to choose cues based on your own circumstances rather than a general rule.

How to prepare for a walk at dusk

At dusk, details and low-contrast obstacles can be harder to notice. In a study of 88 adults with visual impairments, participants took longer to navigate an obstacle course in dimmer lighting and made contact with obstacles more often; they hit low-contrast obstacles more frequently. This was a test on an obstacle course, not a study of walking on every kind of street, so take it as a reason to pay closer attention to lighting—not as an exact prediction of what will happen to you.

• If dusk is unfamiliar to you, start by walking a short, familiar route with a companion.
• Before you leave, check the forecast and sunset time, clean your glasses, and charge your phone.
• Choose streets with even lighting and a clear surface; avoid dark stretches and sharp changes between light and shadow.
• Wear clothing that drivers can see if you’re walking near a road.
• Don’t increase your distance or choose a new route just because it seemed easy during the day.

Pay attention not only to darkness but also to glaring headlights, wet pavement, and brightly lit shop windows: sudden glare can make it harder to see, too. If lower light noticeably affects your confidence, plan your walk earlier or with support. More tips for walking in the evening are in our article on walking at night.

When to seek help from a specialist

Talk with an ophthalmologist or vision rehabilitation specialist about your walks if you’ve started losing your bearings more often, bumping into obstacles, avoiding going outside because you’re afraid, or can’t tell which kinds of cues help. If your vision changes suddenly, seek medical care without delay.

An orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist can assess specific routes with you and help you practice safe strategies: finding crossings, keeping your direction, recognizing landmarks, and using suitable mobility aids. Seeing a specialist doesn’t mean you have to use a cane: they can help you figure out what’s right for you.

A good route isn’t necessarily the shortest one. It’s a route where you know where you are and what to do if a landmark doesn’t work.

The evidence on orientation and mobility training is still limited: a Cochrane review found two small studies with 63 participants and noted that there isn’t enough data to confidently compare different training options. This doesn’t prove that training is useless; it highlights the importance of tailoring a program to a person’s real needs.

Frequently asked questions

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