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.

Mike

Mike Passo

American Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Bellingham, WA

<p>Mike Passo is the Executive Director of American Trails. Mike has also served as the Executive…

Andrea

Andrea Hassler

Access Fund

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit Higher Education

Chattanooga, TN

Scott

Scott Johnson

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Forest Grove, OR

Trail builder with the Forest Service for over 15 years. Have worked on a mobile trail crew for all…

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…

Jerome

Jerome Pelland

Sentiers Boréals, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Granby

Walt

Walt Daniels

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference

Trainer Nonprofit

Mohegan Lake, NY

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Hire Workers

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

Frederick

Frederick Johnson

Agency

Upper Marlboro , MD

30 plus years in park management, forestry, horticulture, Wild life and conservation I manage over…

Alixandra

Alixandra Lamsa

National Park Service

Agency

Seattle, WA

William

William Mattson

Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)

Nonprofit

Fallston, MD

I am a trail liaison for the central region of the Gunpowder Falls State Park in Maryland

Wesley

Wesley Lamberson

Contractor Nonprofit

Knoxville, TN

Melissa

Melissa Padilla

Nonprofit

Pollock Pines, CA

I am the treasurer for Mother Lode Trail Stewardship. We are a new stewardship that started in 2020…

wesley

wesley paulos

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Agency

Roanoke, VA

9 years state parks (CO and FL) 12 year DCR-Natural heritage as a land manager and Recreation…

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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