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

AZT Trail Skills Institute - Module 5: New Trail Construction
Arizona Trail Association
Arizona Trail Association
AZT Trail Skills Institute - Module 5: New Trail Construction

September 30 - October 01, 2023

Flagstaff, Arizona

A OR B Bucking and Limbing Chainsaw Training at Camp Dodge Training Center
Appalachian Mountain Club
Appalachian Mountain Club
ORL 046 Advanced Trail Building (CRN:7691)
Feather River College
Feather River College
Foundations
International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
Foundations

October 10 - 12, 2023

AZT Trail Skills Institute - Module 3 Trail Structures (Rock Work)
Arizona Trail Association
Arizona Trail Association
The Third Mode: Bonus Chapters
American Trails
American Trails
2024 Sustainable Trails Conference
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Professional TrailBuilders Association
2024 Sustainable Trails Conference

March 19 - 21, 2024

Georgia

Custom Trainings

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

steve@roguetrails.com

Access Fund

Contractor Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit Higher Education
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…

Ben

Ben Appleby

Linear Active LLC

Contractor Trainer

Zanesville, Oh

I am the founder and owner of Linear Active LLC. I started the business in 2012 after completing my…

Jim

Jim Bedwell

Contractor Trainer

Golden, Co

Thirty-eight years of experience in the US Forest Service in landscape architecture, recreation…

Willie

Willie Bittner

Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

La Crosse , Wi

Willie Bittner started working on trails 25 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he…

Conor

Conor Boynton-Orr

Contractor Trainer Corps

Walsenburg, Co

I am the director of the Huerfano Youth Conservation Corps and I work as an instructor of Trail…

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

steve@roguetrails.com

Access Fund

Contractor Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit Higher Education
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…

Emmy

Emmy Andrews

Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA)

Nonprofit

Bend, Or

Emmy Andrews is the Executive Director of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA). In this role…

Ben

Ben Appleby

Linear Active LLC

Contractor Trainer

Zanesville, Oh

I am the founder and owner of Linear Active LLC. I started the business in 2012 after completing my…

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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