Hand-Built Trail Construction

Hand-Built Trail Construction Skill Definition:

Using hand tools, construct a trail with a full bench, raised tread, and/or combination that meets the construction specifications.


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Resources for Hand-Built Trail Construction

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.

Hand Tool Field Maintenance
Hand Tool Field Maintenance

We rely on hand tools to lop branches, dig drain dips, remove slough and berm, construct waterbars and check steps, and much more. As a result, hand tools receive a great deal of wear and tear. Learn about the most common tool problems that are…

Choosing the Right Tools for Trail Work
Choosing the Right Tools for Trail Work

A wide variety of tools are available to layout, construct, and maintain trails. Local and individual preferences often dictate the kinds of tools which are chosen for various tasks.

Handtools for Trail Work
Handtools for Trail Work

The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC), working with trail crews throughout the United States, has standardized a comprehensive document on the use and maintenance of handtools involved in trail work.


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Hand-Built Trail Construction

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,…

Training Calendar

Upcoming Trainings for Hand-Built Trail Construction

Trail Building and Stewardship for Non-Motorized Multi-Use Trails Boot Camp
Vermont State University
Vermont State University
Sustainable Trail Building One-Year Certificate Program
Sustainable Trail Building One-Year Certificate Program

September 09, 2024

Lyndonville, Vermont

Custom Trainings

There are 54 trainers on TrailSkills
with Hand-Built Trail Construction experience.

Ben

Ben Appleby

Linear Active LLC

Contractor Trainer

Zanesville, OH

I am the founder and owner of Linear Active LLC. I started the business in 2012 after completing my…

Daniel

Daniel Whitaker

American River Parkway Foundation

Trainer Nonprofit

Carmichael, CA

Began on a trail crew with the Arizona Conservation Corps. We maintained trails in the Coronado…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Contractor Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit Higher Education

Golden, CO

Kim Frederick has over 45 years of experience in the design, development and management of…

Willie

Willie Bittner

Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

La Crosse , WI

Willie Bittner started working on trails 25 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he…

Jeremy

Jeremy Poore

McDowell Tech Community College

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

Old Fort, NC

I'm in the process of building McDowell Tech Trail School into a national-level Trail Construction…

Larry

Larry Knutson

Penn Trails LLC

Contractor Trainer

Newville, PA

Larry Knutson, is founder and President of Penn Trails LLC. A cloud based company for 16 years, we…

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Hire Workers

There are 214 profiles on TrailSkills
with Hand-Built Trail Construction experience.

Conor

Conor Boynton-Orr

Contractor Trainer Corps

Walsenburg, CO

I am the director of the Huerfano Youth Conservation Corps and I work as an instructor of Trail…

William

William Davis

National Park Service

Contractor Corps

Washington, DC

Heide

Heide Andersen

Agency

Winthrop, WA

I am a Recreation Planner for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am responsible for…

Sara

Sara Gress

Wood River Trails Coalition

Nonprofit

Hailey, ID

Worked as a seasonal trail crew member for three years on the Sawtooth National Forest - Ketchum…

Dave

Dave Hall

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Afton, WY

Josh

Josh Durham

Trailkeepers of Oregon

Nonprofit

Portland, OR

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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 Corps Network