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

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.

Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tread and Alignment​
Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tread and Alignment​

Explore foundational concepts related to the principles and applications of trail tread and alignment—all through the lens of developing and maintaining a sustainable trail. This course will introduce basic trail design elements as well as processes…

​​Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tools
​​Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tools

​​​​Explore foundational concepts related to the safe trail use—all through the lens of developing and maintaining a sustainable trail. The course will outline the types of tools for trail work, their use in construction and maintenance, as well as…

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Upcoming Trainings for Hand-Built Trail Construction

Trail Skills Institute Module 5: Trail Construction
Arizona Trail Association
Arizona Trail Association
Trail Skills Institute Module 5: Trail Construction

April 27 - 28, 2024

Tucson, Arizona

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.

Brock

Brock Messner

Jefferson County Open Space

Trainer Agency

Golden, CO

I have been a Trails Specialist with Jefferson County Open Space for 10yrs and was a Seasonal…

Jerome

Jerome Pelland

Sentiers Boréals, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Granby

Deno

Deno Contos

Contractor Trainer

Greenville, SC

Benchmark Trails is a full service trail design, layout and construction firm with over 20 years of…

Matt

Matt Malone

Nature Trails, LLC

Contractor Trainer

Brevard, NC

Jay

Jay Post

Trainer Higher Education

Russellville, AR

I coordinate and teach the Trail Management Certificate Program at Arkansas Tech University. Plus,…

Emily

Emily Paulson

City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit

Boulder, CO

I'm a trail project manager with a background in leading, training & managing trail crew…

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Hire Workers

There are 213 profiles on TrailSkills
with Hand-Built Trail Construction experience.

Amanda

Amanda Crothers

Portland Parks and Recreation

Agency

Washougal, WA

Trail Technician interested in trail accessibility, dry stone masonry, foot bridge carpentry,…

Dustin

Dustin London

Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA)

Nonprofit

Littleton, CO

I have worked on trails for the last two years. The first year I was on a trails team and last…

Betsy

Betsy Byrne

National Park Service

Agency

Salt Lake City, UT

I am a landscape architect with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation…

Samantha

Samantha Burt

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Kamas, UT

Gary

Gary Meyer

Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA)

Nonprofit

Bend, OR

Volunteer, Winter Trail Steward managing winter trail grooming team, Sawyer, trail planning…

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…

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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 Corps Network