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.

Ben

Ben Ervin

Alaska Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Anchorage, AK

Brooke

Brooke Scatchard

Sinuosity

Contractor Trainer

Morristown, VT

Brooke’s many years of experience in planning, building, and riding mountain bike trails provide a…

Stephen

Stephen Crowe

Appalachian Mountain Club

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Cherry Valley, MA

Recruit, train and oversee volunteers to construct rock structures to harden treadway and maintain…

Jim

Jim Bedwell

Contractor Trainer

Golden, CO

Thirty-eight years of experience in the US Forest Service in landscape architecture, recreation…

Deno

Deno Contos

Contractor Trainer

Greenville, SC

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

Wendy

Wendy Lotze

Trainer Nonprofit Higher Education

Tucson, AZ

I manage the Volunteer program at the Arizona Trail Association, organizing over 20,000 hours of…

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Hire Workers

There are 210 profiles on TrailSkills
with Hand-Built Trail Construction experience.

Christopher

Christopher Bernard

Sages Trail Solutions LLC

Contractor

Spring, TX

Sages has been in business for more than 8 years and has built trails and trail related features…

Matt

Matt Rowell

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Ketchum, ID

I act as a trails and recreation supervisor for the Ketchum Ranger District of the Sawtooth…

Wes

Wes Hoskins

Nonprofit

Sparks, NV

Aaron

Aaron Cholewa

Contractor

Severance, CO

Aaron Cholewa is an accomplished and dedicated trail builder with a profound passion for the…

Craig

Craig Benton

Higher Education

Ottsville, PA

Zachary

Zachary Gardner

Agency

Ephraim, UT

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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