Skill Definition

Collect, analyze and integrate spatial data and field collected data to identify potential areas (broad corridors) that meet the project purpose and need, and establish potential areas of avoidance

Entry Level Performance

  • Demonstrate ability to field check (ground truth) corridors identified through the spatial analysis and identify additional positive or negative control points, with supervision
  • Demonstrate understanding of the spatial data that informs the field check of corridors (location maps, slope, soils, hydrology, natural and cultural resource data)
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate the results of the field collected data with the project supervisor

Full Performance Level

  • - Interpret spatial data that informs the corridor identification including: location maps (boundaries, access), roads/access, topography, slope, soils, hydrology, and natural resource and cultural inventory data
  • Demonstrate ability to field check (ground truth) corridors identified through the spatial analysis and identify additional positive or negative control points without supervision
  • Implement and supervise the plan to field check (ground truth) potential corridors identified during spatial analysis

Expert Level Performance

  • Analyze and evaluate complex spatial data (to identify trail corridors that are sustainable, avoid sensitive ecosystems, and meet the project purpose
  • Create a plan to field check potential corridors based on the spatial data analysis including: access locations, parking, boundaries; sustainability principles; natural/cultural resource avoidance; special management areas; viewsheds, and adjacent land uses.
  • Integrate and evaluate spatial data and field-collected data to identity and recommend trail corridors, delivering GPS coordinates and/or field flagging to the land manager

Learn More

Documents and Media for Corridor Planning

North Country Trail Handbook
North Country Trail Handbook

The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.

The Value of Trail Assessments
The Value of Trail Assessments

Hosted in partnership with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, this webinar will cover not only the importance of conducting trail assessments but also how to turn those assessments into descriptive reports that facilitate trail…

Introduction to Trail Planning
Introduction to Trail Planning

One part of a three-part series on the Introduction to Trail Planning, Design and Development, and Management. PART ONE: In the Introduction to Trail Planning we will discuss different types of trail plans including Master Plans Conceptual Plans,…

Evaluating Erosion
Evaluating Erosion

One important factor that we examine when we assess the condition of a trail is the effect that erosion is having upon the trail surface. This video covers three of the most obvious signs of trail erosion: loose rocks, cuts and areas of deposition.…


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Corridor Planning

Digital Transformation of Trail Management and Monitoring
Digital Transformation of Trail Management and Monitoring

Mike Linnane of Evolve Technologies and award-winning Trail Manager Eoin Hogan will present on the development path of the world’s first integrated digital trail management system. The webinar will outline the evolution from a paper-based trail…

Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.

This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more. Presented by: Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist,…

Trail Planning Technology
Trail Planning Technology

Learn how to use a variety of mobile and desktop based technologies to assess, plan, and design trails across the country. Presented by: Jon Altschuld, Founder and Principal, Chinook Landscape Architecture, LLC Tony Boone, COO, Timberline TrailCraft

Cultural Landscape Training Framework
Cultural Landscape Training Framework

This webinar will provide an exclusive first walk through of the Cultural Landscape Training Framework showcasing how outdoor professionals can embrace multiple perspectives of the Indigenous landscapes they work on.


Further Education

Training Programs for Corridor Planning

Trail Sustainability Institute
Trail Sustainability Institute

The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…

IMBA Trail Solutions Advanced Trail Building School
IMBA Trail Solutions Advanced Trail Building School

Partner with IMBA Trail Solutions and create with confidence. By deploying a complete range of skills–including visioning, detailed design, professional construction, and training for stewardship–our comprehensive approach saves resources.

Trails Certificate
Trails Certificate

Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Participants will also learn about trail…

Sustainable Trails Development
Sustainable Trails Development

The Sustainable Trails curriculum welcomes students from various fields who are interested in trails development, programming and management, as well as design.

PCTA Trail Skills Course
PCTA Trail Skills Course

Because wildfires, wind storms, floods, gravity, and vegetation growth are constant threats to the PCT, the annual maintenance and reconstruction of the trail is a never-ending and monumental undertaking. Such work, historically carried out by…

Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Advancing Trails Webinar Series

American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…

Custom Trainings

There are 65 trainers on TrailSkills
with Corridor Planning experience

Hire Workers

There are 225 workers on TrailSkills
with Corridor Planning experience

Suggest a Resource

Contact Us

Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association