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

Improve this skill

Upcoming trainings for Trail Construction

Backcountry Rigging Techniques
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Backcountry Rigging Techniques

April 21, 2023

Reno/Tahoe area, Nevada

Sustainable Trail Building Certificate — Hybrid, part-time, one-year certificate program
Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University

Custom Trainings

Here's a list of Trainers with Trail Construction experience:

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…

Andy

Andy Crowley

Contractor Trainer

Ashland, Nh

Conservation Trail Services LLC. Working with private, non-profit, and…

Pete

Pete Englund

Legacy Trails LLC

Contractor Trainer

Madrid, Ia

Pete Englund had been performing crew based trail work across 12 different states for 18 years…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Trainer
Marc

Marc Hildesheim

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit
Jacob

Jacob Hyde

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Matt

Matt Able

USDA Forest Service

Agency
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…

Heide

Heide Andersen

Agency

Winthrop, Wa

I am a Recreation Planner for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am responsible for…

Anna

Anna Baklund

Tread Lightly!, Inc.

Nonprofit

Kelso, Wa

Hi! My name is Anna and I'm the Program Manager for Washington and Oregon for Tread Lightly! I work…

Danielle

Danielle Berry

Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Nonprofit
Justin

Justin Blackstead

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Sun Valley, Id

I have building and maintaining trails since 2008. Most of my experience has been in motorized and…

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
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