Skill Definition

Construct stone or wood retaining walls to bolster unconsolidated soils, gain elevation, or transition tread from rocks/natural barriers

Entry Level Performance

  • Demonstrate understanding of basic retaining wall construction technique (material preparation, stacking, joinery, and fill)
  • Safely perform tasks to further the construction of a stone or wood retaining wall with supervision
  • Stabilize (set) stone or wood materials with supervision

Full Performance Level

  • Safely work to construct a stone or wood retaining wall in an identified location, to construction specifications independently

Expert Level Performance

  • Provide layout and planning, identifying and/or applying identified construction specifications to retaining wall construction
  • Interpret construction specification to be site specific, and plan accordingly (rise/run, batter, core material, etc.)

Learn More

Documents and Media for Retaining Walls

Stonework: Techniques and Projects
Stonework: Techniques and Projects

Discover the lasting satisfaction of working with stone. Master stonemason Charles McRaven covers everything you need to know about working with different types of stone to create a variety of durable and elegant features. Clear enough for the…

Stone Primer
Stone Primer

Stone Primer is both a practical handbook and an inspirational guide for the budding stonemason.

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.

Rock Retaining Walls
Rock Retaining Walls

Learn fundamentals of rock construction including an emphasis on effective and safe use of rock bars, the critical tool for all rock work. We’ll tackle basic rock placement techniques for rock walls to last the ages. Recommended after taking Course…


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Retaining Walls


Further Education

Training Programs for Retaining Walls

IMBA Trail Management Schools
IMBA Trail Management Schools

This school is typically two days in length with IMBA instructor(s) traveling to your location to deliver the class to staff or members. Instructors arrive the day before to assess the site and do any necessary preparations. Organizations, clubs, or…

IMBA Trail Care Schools
IMBA Trail Care Schools

Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…

Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program
Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program

In this one-year certificate program, you’ll have boots-on-the-ground at Northwoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, VT for three individual week-long intensive classes. You will grow your knowledge base and connect with trail building…

Trail Academy
Trail Academy

Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…

Trail Sustainability Institute
Trail Sustainability Institute

The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…

Trails Certificate
Trails Certificate

Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Participants will also learn about trail…

Training Calendar

Upcoming Trainings for Retaining Walls

Advancing Sustainable Design in Recreational Trails
Presto Geosystems
Presto Geosystems

Custom Trainings

There are 65 trainers on TrailSkills
with Retaining Walls experience

Hire Workers

There are 240 workers on TrailSkills
with Retaining Walls experience

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.

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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 Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association