Tread Hardening and Surfacing

Skill Definition

Install the appropriate treadway hardening technique for a trail given the slopes, soils, available material (e.g., wood, rock, gravel) and designed use, including advanced hardening techniques including but not limited to aggregate addition, various types of rock armoring, turnpiking, rock culverts, boulder causeway, rock drains and chemical additives

Entry Level Performance

Demonstrate understanding of a variety of tread hardening treatments and the trail issues each technique addresses and when hardening is or is not needed
Safely perform a variety of tasks to further basic tread hardening construction projects, such as materials quarrying, staging, and application with supervision
Stabilize (set) rocks and wood and perform basic carpentry and rockwork with supervision

Full Performance Level

Implement construction specifications for all types of tread hardening structures in identified location independently
Manage crew safety and efficiency when hardening or surfacing trail

Expert Level Performance

Interpret construction specification to be site specific (if provided) -Identify and implement the appropriate tools and techniques to efficiently and effectively harden trail tread, ranging from basic to complex techniques

Resources for Tread Hardening and Surfacing

Documents and Media • Video Trainings • Training Programs
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Documents and Media for Tread Hardening and Surfacing

Trail Skills College Course Curriculum

To help our volunteers succeed in their trail work, PCTA collaborated with many partners to develop a Trail Skills College curriculum.

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.

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.

Introduction to Foundations of Sustainable Trails: A Trail from Start to Finish

A Trail from Start to Finish is an introductory, short "micro-learning" targeted to developing trail workers. Anticipated to take about 15 minutes to complete, this microlearning discusses what it means for a trail to be sustainable and describes…

Tread Re-Construction

This course goes beyond a triage approach covered in Course 203 Waterbars and Checks because reconstruction indicates a more thorough restoration of damaged tread to ideal specifications. Review hillside hydrology and how trails should work.…

Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Hydrology

Learn the basics of constructing and maintaining sustainable trails that function within the hydrology of their environment. You will learn about hydrology as the behavior of water over, under, and through the land, and you will learn some best…

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Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Tread Hardening and Surfacing

Aggregate Trail Surfacing: From Fundamentals to Field Application

This webinar goes beyond materials and layering to explore how design, construction, and real-time field decisions shape long-term durability.

Fundamentals of Aggregate Surface Trails

This session will include a general introduction to various types of trail surfacing, this webinar will focus on design and construction factors specific to aggregate surfaced trails.

Basic Soil Mechanics for Trailbuilding

This session will provide applicable knowledge of soil including soil description, grain size distribution and its measurement, clay plasticity, and compaction curves and the importance of water.

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…

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Further Education