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:

Amy

Amy Lutsko

Morris County Park Commission, NJ

Trainer Agency
Allie

Allie Maloney

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Whitefish, Mt

Allie Maloney is the Coordinator for the Flathead Trails Association. Her experience includes trail…

Jennifer

Jennifer Medina-Gray

Trainer Agency Corps
Caelan

Caelan Parker

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Mccall, Id

I am an early-career trails professional with the Forest Service. I have seven Agency field seasons…

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…

Brooke

Brooke Scatchard

Sinuosity

Contractor Trainer

Morristown, Vt

Brooke’s many years of experience in planning, building, and riding mountain bike trails provide a…

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Jeff

Jeff Dion

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Contractor Nonprofit

Esmont, Va

My professional skills are in fundraising + GPS/GIS for trail systems

KC

KC Ellingford

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…

Tim

Tim Farris

Agency

Jackson, Wy

I am in charge of the Wilderness and Trails program for the Jackson Ranger District on the…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Trainer
Sara

Sara Gatewood

Dirt Artisans

Contractor

Crescent Springs, Ky

Sara Gatewood Administrative Officer Covington, KY With a decade of experience doing volunteer…

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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