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:

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
Vaike

Vaike Haas

Trainer Higher Education

Morgantown, Wv

I lead WVU's Sustainable Trails Curriculum, am a licensed landscape architect and Associate…

Marc

Marc Hildesheim

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit
Marc

Marc Hildesheim

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Vaughn, Mt

Marc Hildesheim is a lifelong OHV enthusiasts who lives in Eastern Washington with his wife, three…

Jay

Jay Hoots

Hoots, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Edmonton,

JAY HOOTS – Hoots Ltd. Owner (2005 - Current) Qualifications: • Professional Bike Park / Trail…

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Craig

Craig Benton

Higher Education
Danielle

Danielle Berry

Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Nonprofit
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…

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…

Tony

Tony Boone

Tony Boone Trails

Contractor

Salida, Co

Tony has a Masters of Education in Outdoor Adventure Recreation and is a Board Member of the…

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…

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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