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:

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…

Jerome

Jerome Pelland

Sentiers Boréals, Inc.

Contractor Trainer
Jay

Jay Post

Trainer Higher Education

Russellville, Ar

I coordinate and teach the Trail Management Certificate Program at Arkansas Tech University. Plus,…

Mike

Mike Riter

Trail Design Specialists (Georgia)

Contractor Trainer

Danielsville, Ga

We are a full service trail company. Our services include trail design, construction and…

Galeo

Galeo Saintz

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Plettenberg Bay,

Galeo Saintz is the co-founder of South Africa’s two longest trail initiatives. For 10 years he…

Hire

Trail Workers with Trail Construction Experience

Dave

Dave Coyner

Quality Asphalt Services

Contractor

Indianola, Ut

I have been involved in heavy construction the last 36 years. The last 17 years we have specialized…

Amanda

Amanda Crothers

Portland Parks and Recreation

Agency

Washougal, Wa

I am an earth systems thinker using my background in geology to construct sustainable and…

Stephen

Stephen Crowe

Appalachian Mountain Club

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Cherry Valley, Ma

Recruit, train and oversee volunteers to construct rock structures to harden treadway and maintain…

Andy

Andy Crowley

Contractor Trainer

Ashland, Nh

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

Walt

Walt Daniels

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference

Trainer Nonprofit
Ally

Ally Davey

Contractor Nonprofit

Coromandel,

Trail Co-ordinator for Ride Coromandel and Hauraki District Council

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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