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:

Larry

Larry Lechner

Trainer Higher Education

Bellvue, Co

Member of Center for Protected Area Management and Training at Colorado State University,…

Wendy

Wendy Lotze

Trainer Nonprofit Higher Education

Tucson, Az

I manage the Volunteer program at the Arizona Trail Association, organizing over 20,000 hours of…

Amy

Amy Lutsko

Morris County Park Commission, NJ

Trainer Agency
Matt

Matt Malone

Nature Trails, LLC

Contractor Trainer
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

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Lex

Lex Carey

Pulaski Users Group (PUG)

Nonprofit

Hailey, Id

With conservation corps, and USFS trail Crew experience under my belt I have shifted to the…

Jake

Jake Carsten

Contractor

Del Rio, Tx

Jake Carsten began his career in the bicycle industry in 2011, working on the IMBA-Subaru Trail…

Tess

Tess Charney

Delaware State Parks

Agency
Aaron

Aaron Cholewa

Contractor

Severance, Co

Aaron Cholewa is an accomplished and dedicated trail builder with a profound passion for the…

Jeremiah

Jeremiah Clark

National Park Service

Agency

Kula, Hi

I have trail maintenance and construction experience through Timberline Trailcraft LLC as a Trail…

Deno

Deno Contos

Contractor Trainer

Greenville, Sc

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

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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