An entanglement obstacle for obstructing an area of a surface includes a mesh layer suspended over upright perimeter members via a perimeter cable and over upright central members via a central cable. The upright members are operatively attached to the surface. The perimeter cable is operatively attached to the perimeter members at a perimeter clearance above the surface to provide a trip impediment. The central cable is operatively attached to the central members at a central clearance above the surface to provide a step-over impediment. The central clearance is greater than the perimeter clearance. The mesh layer is operatively attached to the perimeter and central cables such that the mesh layer covers the obstructed area to provide an entanglement obstacle. The mesh layer is inclined from the central cable to each of first and second sides of the obstacle at an angle defined by the central perimeter clearances.