North Country Trail Handbook
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.
Trail Finishwork
Skill Definition
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.
Entry Level Performance
- Use hand tools for final shaping of tread, backslope, construction spoils, and other features with supervision
- Use plate compactor for compaction if required with supervision
Full Performance Level
- Use a variety of hand or mechanical tools and techniques to meet specifications for final tread surface, refine shaping, and complete backslope finishing and compaction independently across multiple types of terrain, soils and ground conditions
Expert Level Performance
- Plan the trail finishwork to use a variety of hand and/or mechanical tools and techniques
- Ensure that the product meets specifications for final tread surface, refine shaping, and complete backslope finishing and compaction
Resources for Trail Finishwork:
Documents and Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
• Calendar
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Documents and Media for Trail Finishwork
Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds
This guidebook provides practical guidelines for developing recreation environments that are sensitive to the needs of riders and their stock.
Handtools for Trail Work
The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC), working with trail crews throughout the United States, has standardized a comprehensive document on the use and maintenance of handtools involved in trail work.
Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Tread and Alignment
Explore foundational concepts related to the principles and applications of trail tread and alignment—all through the lens of developing and maintaining a sustainable trail. This course will introduce basic trail design elements as well as processes…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Trail Finishwork
Porous Flexible Pavement, Asphalt, or Porous Asphalt: Lessons Learned for Multi-Use Trails in the District of Columbia
This webinar will discuss the various types of materials used for paved, multi-use trails in the District of Columbia. We will discuss different projects where we used flexi-pave, asphalt, or porous asphalt and our experience with each material. How…
Further Education
Training Programs for Trail Finishwork
Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program
In this one-year certificate program, you’ll have boots-on-the-ground at Northwoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, VT for three individual week-long intensive classes. You will grow your knowledge base and connect with trail building…
Trail Academy
Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…
Trail Sustainability Institute
The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…
IMBA Trail Solutions Advanced Trail Building School
Partner with IMBA Trail Solutions and create with confidence. By deploying a complete range of skills–including visioning, detailed design, professional construction, and training for stewardship–our comprehensive approach saves resources.
Trails Certificate
Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Participants will also learn about trail…
Sustainable Trails Development
The Sustainable Trails curriculum welcomes students from various fields who are interested in trails development, programming and management, as well as design.
Skill Library
Trail Construction
Trail Sustainability Principles
Safety/Site Management
Construction Specifications
Corridor Clearing/Site Preparation
Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing
Corridor Clearing: Felling/tree removal; Chainsaw/ Crosscut
Corridor Clearing: Material and Debris Management
Hand-Built Trail Construction
Mechanized Trail Construction
Trail Finishwork
Water Management/Drainage Features
Water Crossing Structures
Retaining Walls
Tread Hardening and Surfacing
Decommissioning Trails
Training Calendar
Upcoming Trainings for Trail Finishwork
Pump Track Design and Construction w Peter Mills, Elevated Trail Design
October 23 - 25, 2024
Old Fort, North Carolina
Pump Track Design and Construction w Peter Mills, Elevated Trail Design
November 20 - 22, 2024
Old Fort, North Carolina
Pump Track Design and Construction w Peter Mills, Elevated Trail Design
December 04 - 06, 2024
Old Fort, North Carolina
Custom Trainings
There are 56 trainers on TrailSkills
with Trail Finishwork experience
Alexander De Lucia
Bretton Woods, NH
Director of Trails & Recreation Management
Appalachian Mountain Club
Galeo Saintz
Plettenberg Bay
Hire Workers
There are 224 workers on TrailSkills
with Trail Finishwork experience
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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.
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