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.
Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Skill Definition
Using hand tools, maintain a trail to its designed specifications for tread width, cross/outslope, protrusions, and obstacles using hand tools and minimizes off trail impacts
Entry Level Performance
- Safely use a variety of hand tools to perform effective maintenance on a range of trail types independently
- Identify the location and appropriate strategy to maintain the trail tread to its desired standards and specifications with supervision.
Full Performance Level
- Safely use hand tools to maintain a trail that meets the maintenance specifications and trail sustainability principles independently
- Identify locations and the appropriate strategy to maintain the trail tread to the desired specifications independently.
Expert Level Performance
- Efficiently and effectively use hand tools to maintain a trail, drawing from a variety of techniques to meet maintenance specifications and sustainability principles.
- Implement a comprehensive maintenance plan for a trail and/or trail system
Resources for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Documents and
Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
Find Trainers •
Find Workers
Learn More
Documents and Media for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
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.
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…
Hand Tool Field Maintenance
We rely on hand tools to lop branches, dig drain dips, remove slough and berm, construct waterbars and check steps, and much more. As a result, hand tools receive a great deal of wear and tear. Learn about the most common tool problems that are…
Handtools for Trail Work
The use and maintenance of handtools involved in trail work.
Addressing Erosion on the Trail
In the fifth video of this series, we take a look at techniques for addressing erosion issues on trails in arid environments. We'll review techniques such as rolling grade dips (drains), check dams/steps, waterbars and berm removal - discussing the…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more. Presented by: Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist,…
Further Education
Training Programs for Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Trail Technician 1 Exam
The Trail Technician multiple-choice exam evaluates foundational knowledge in trail development, aligned with the progression from entry-level to full Trail Competency standards.
Trail Fundamentals Video Series
The Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) has launched the development of the Trail Fundamentals Video Series—a free, entry-level educational resource designed to support sustainable trail development and trail trainings worldwide.
IMBA Trail Management Schools
This school is typically two days in length with IMBA instructor(s) traveling to your location to deliver the class to staff or members. Instructors arrive the day before to assess the site and do any necessary preparations. Organizations, clubs, or…
IMBA Trail Care Schools
Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…
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…
Skill Library
Trail Maintenance
Trail Sustainability Principles
Safety/Site Management
Maintenance Specifications
Corridor Clearing/Site Preparation
Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing
Corridor Clearing: Bucking, Felling/ Hazard Tree Removal; Chainsaw/ Crosscut
Corridor Clearing: Material and Debris Management
Tread Maintenance - Hand tools
Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
Drainage Features/Water Management
Custom Trainings
There are 82 trainers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Hand tools experience
Walt Bready
Blairsville, GA
Sylvia Boucher
Middlefield, CT
Assistant Trails Coordinator
Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA)
Brad Stewart
Gulliver, MI
Jonathan Szalewicz
Craftsbury Common, VT
Trails Volunteer Programs Supervisor
Appalachian Mountain Club
Leanna Joyner
Asheville, NC
Senior Director for Partnerships and Trail Operations
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Hire Workers
There are 338 workers on TrailSkills
with Tread Maintenance - Hand tools experience
Suggest a Resource
Contact Us
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.
Let us knowTrail Skills Collaborators
