Trail Construction

Trail Construction Skills Include:

    Construction Specifications

    Understand and apply common construction specifications/trail management objectives such as corridor height/width, tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions, obstacles, and compaction.

    Corridor Clearing

    Clear the corridor (brushing, logging out, hazard tree removal, rock/stump removal) in preparation for construction using proper pruning techniques.

    Hand-Built Trail Construction

    Using hand tools, construct a trail with a full bench, raised tread, and/or combination that meets the construction specifications.

    Mechanized Trail Construction

    Safely use and maintain mechanized trail construction equipment (i.e. mini-excavators, skid steers, trail dozers, compactors, etc) to construct trail that meets construction specifications.

    Trail Finishwork

    Utilize tools, often mechanical (i.e. excavators, harrow rakes, compact utility loaders, compactors), to meet specifications for final tread surface and backslope preparation and compaction, construction spoils management, and erosion control stabilization.

    Water Management/Drainage Features

    Construct drainage features that decrease erosion , including grade reversals, berms, ditches, and sheet drains.

    Water Crossing Structures

    Construct a water crossing structure (i.e. puncheon, turnpike, bridge) to span drainageways or wetland areas and raise the trail above the high water line while maintaining uninterrupted hydrology beneath the constructed feature.

    Retaining Walls

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

    Tread Hardening

    Install the appropriate treadway hardening technique for a trail given the slopes, soils, available material (wood, rock, gravel) and designed use, including advanced hardening techniques (i.e. turnpiking, rock culverts, boulder causeway, rock drains).

    Trailside Structures / Dispersed Recreation

    Build and maintain trail heads, parking lots, kiosks, sanitary facilities, camping facilities, traffic barriers, and directional signage.

    Decommissioning Trails

    Demonstrated ability to plan and implement the closure, reclamation, and revegetation of a trail segment.


Learn More

Resources for Trail Construction

Evaluating Erosion
Evaluating Erosion

One important factor that we examine when we assess the condition of a trail is the effect that erosion is having upon the trail surface. This video covers three of the most obvious signs of trail erosion: loose rocks, cuts and areas of deposition.…

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…

Desert Brushing Techniques
Desert Brushing Techniques

In the second video of this series, we take a look at how to clear the trail corridor of brush, focusing on techniques specific to the desert environment. Keeping the corridor clear allows users to stay on the trail safely, protecting the…

Tread and Drainage
Tread and Drainage

Water and gravity constantly threaten our trails and thus we must learn how best to deflect them. This course begins with basics of hillside hydrology and how trails work when they shed water properly. Includes introduction of “trail eyes” and basic…

Further Education

Related Training Programs

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Upcoming Trainings for 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 Skills College
Appalachian Mountain Club
Appalachian Mountain Club
Trail Skills College

May 16 - 20, 2024

Custom Trainings

There are 53 trainers on TrailSkills
with Trail Construction experience.

Ben

Ben Ervin

Alaska Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Anchorage, AK

stephen

stephen schneider

Access Fund

Contractor Trainer

Springdale, AR

Over 20 years as trail steward [non-profit board] IMBA Regional Director [SE Region] Rogue Trails…

Deno

Deno Contos

Contractor Trainer

Greenville, SC

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

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…

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…

Kevin

Kevin Simpson

Mountain Surf Creative

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

Quincy, CA

Kevin founded Mountain Surf Creative in 2023 as a way to bring creative solutions to trail related…

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Hire Workers

There are 213 profiles on TrailSkills
with Trail Construction experience.

Alixandra

Alixandra Lamsa

National Park Service

Agency

Seattle, WA

Connor

Connor Ranft

Student Conservation Association (SCA)

Corps Nonprofit

Philadelphia, PA

Mike

Mike Riter

Trail Design Specialists (Georgia)

Contractor Trainer

Danielsville, GA

We are a full service trail company. Our services include trail design, construction and…

Mick

Mick Phillips

Clean Trails

Contractor

Billings, MT

Clear Trails is a resource consulting service contracting with public land management agencies to…

Mike

Mike Passo

American Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Bellingham, WA

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

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…

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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