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.


Learn More

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…

Improve this skill

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.

Walt

Walt Bready

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Blairsville, GA

Walt Bready is the former State of Georgia Trails Education Specialist and current owner of Trails…

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…

Erin

Erin Amadon

Town 4 Trail Services LLC

Contractor Trainer

Troy, ME

Erin Amadon's passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member…

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…

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…

Deno

Deno Contos

Contractor Trainer

Greenville, SC

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

Search and sort all 54 trainers

Hire Workers

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

Aaryn

Aaryn Kay

Professional TrailBuilders Association

Contractor Nonprofit

Boulder, CO

Aaryn is the executive director for the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA). She has been…

Landon

Landon Welsh

Pacific Crest Trail Association

Trainer Nonprofit

Seattle, WA

Volunteer Training Coordinator for the Pacific Crest Trail Association-- planning trail-wide…

Alex

Alex Duryea

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Agency

Lincoln, NE

I serve as the state trail administrator for the state of Nebraska. Duties include administering…

dre

dre pizarro

Tread Lightly!, Inc.

Nonprofit

Centerville, UT

Brock

Brock Bales

Contractor

Sullivan, IL

Construction Project Manager with over 8 years of experience. Extensive labor experience and…

Michael

Michael McKenzie

Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club

Contractor Nonprofit

Thunder Bay

Currently the trail director for Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club and part of the trail crew for…

Search and sort all 213 workers

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.

Let us know
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