Skill Definition

Inventory and assess existing trails and their conditions, identifying causes of trail degradation (e.g., water, grades, soil conditions, users, and/or use patterns) and the appropriate actions to address the deficiencies

Entry Level Performance

  • Identify physical signs of water-caused and user-caused degradation
  • Collect relevant data (trail condition, needs, and location) to assist with network inventory and assessment

Full Performance Level

  • Recommend trail network additions and closures, based on trail system goals and resources
  • Identify causes of trail degradation and the appropriate prescription to match trail system specifications

Expert Level Performance

  • Lead a full trail sustainability assessment, including all relevant physical, social, and managerial factors
  • Integrate agency-specific systems when applicable (i.e. TRACS/TMOs)

Resources for Trail Inventory and Assessment

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Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Trail Inventory and Assessment

Prescription Trails Leveraging the Science of Trail Therapy
Prescription Trails Leveraging the Science of Trail Therapy

Exploring the link between mental health and the outdoors, this webinar will dive into the latest research on how movement through natural environments—from nearby nature in urban centers to remote backcountry—builds resilience and helps trail users…

The Science of Sustainable Trail Design and Management
The Science of Sustainable Trail Design and Management

This webinar will describe the three most common forms of trail impact, identify the most influential factors to develop and maintain sustainable trail networks, and discuss methods for rating trail sustainability. Presented by: Jeffrey Marion,…


Further Education

Training Programs for Trail Inventory and Assessment

Jacksonville State University - Trail Science Institute (TSI)
Jacksonville State University - Trail Science Institute (TSI)

The TSI focuses on the promotion of recreational trails, primarily in the State of Alabama, by providing educational experiences and providing services such as assessment, monitoring, management, planning, and construction. The TSI defines trails as…

The Harbinger Consultancy Timeline Institute Online Courses
The Harbinger Consultancy Timeline Institute Online Courses

The Harbinger Consultancy's Timeline Institute Online Courses combine instruction, coaching, group learning and step-by-step templates based on 30+ years of working with communities, regions and supporting organizations. They offer you guided access…

Trail Sustainability Institute
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…

Trails Certificate
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
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.

PCTA Trail Skills Course
PCTA Trail Skills Course

Because wildfires, wind storms, floods, gravity, and vegetation growth are constant threats to the PCT, the annual maintenance and reconstruction of the trail is a never-ending and monumental undertaking. Such work, historically carried out by…

Training Calendar

Upcoming Trainings for Trail Inventory and Assessment

Custom Trainings

There are 49 trainers on TrailSkills
with Trail Inventory and Assessment experience

Hire Workers

There are 197 workers on TrailSkills
with Trail Inventory and Assessment 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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Trail Skills 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 Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association