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.

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…

Jerome

Jerome Pelland

Sentiers Boréals, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Granby

Daniel

Daniel McCoy

University of Wyoming

Trainer Higher Education

Laramie, WY

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…

Emma

Emma Bixler

CorpsTHAT, Inc.

Trainer Corps Nonprofit

Baltimore, MD

I have worked in the conservation corps industry for over 10 years with a focus on creating…

Walt

Walt Daniels

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference

Trainer Nonprofit

Mohegan Lake, NY

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Hire Workers

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

Samantha

Samantha Bragg

CorpsTHAT, Inc.

Nonprofit

Baltimore, MD

Preston

Preston York

FlowMotion Trail Builders, LLC

Contractor

Anniston , AL

We are mountain bikers that have built over two hundred miles of recreational trails in five…

David

David Edwards

Carolina Thread Trail

Nonprofit

Charlotte, NC

Currently one of eight Volunteer Trail Masters for the Carolina Thread Trail in Charlotte, NC.…

Josh

Josh Kloehn

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Nonprofit

Towson, MD

Lizzie

Lizzie Morrison

Nonprofit

Silverthorne, CO

Lindsay

Lindsay Williams

Rocky Mountain Field Institute

Contractor Nonprofit

Colorado Springs, CO

I worked my way up at Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) starting as crew on the ground building…

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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