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TRAIL CONSTRUCTION skills and training topics

Specific skills used in trails and greenways work: construction of trails; construction of various trail elements; construction of trailheads and related facilities . See below for training and resources links for trail design.

The following is a list of skills and competencies for this category of trails work.

Skills for Natural Surface Trail Construction

• Tools and safety for hand trail construction
• Mechanized tools and safety for trail construction
• Construction of off-highway vehicle routes and trails
• Selecting and using trail hardening techniques
• Selecting and building improved surfaces
• Performing trail relocation, revegetation, and road to trail conversion

Skills for Trail-related Facility Construction

• Constructing drainage and water control elements
• Rigging and hoisting, mechanical advantage, and overhead zip and high-lines

Skills for Accessible Trail Construction

• Surfaces and materials for accessible trails

Skills for Urban Trail and Bike/Ped Facility Construction

• Materials and paving installation
• Construction management for bicycle/pedestrian facilities
• Road and railroad crossings

Skills for Trailhead Facility Construction

• Restroom siting and installation

Skills for Design of Structures

• Construction of hand-built backcountry bridges
• Puncheon, corduroy, and turnpike construction
• Building boardwalks
• Building rock walls and steps
• Selecting rocks and moving large rocks with the griphoist
• Tools to split and dress stone, including hammer drills, hand star drills, hand chisels, and stone hammers

TRAINING and RESOURCES for trail construction

Links will take you to specific training opportunities, training providers, and other educational resources for both urban and backcountry trails. See the Online Training Calendar for current opportunities, featured training providers, and resources in each state.

Courses on Trail Design and Construction

See providers of training on trail design below.
Check the online Calendar for current scheduled training.
Search the NTTP training database by keyword, state, or provider

• American Hiking Society provides a trail crew leader training program
• American Trails offer workshops on Understanding Accessibility and Building Better Trails
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy Volunteer Trail Skills workshops cover Trail Maintenance, Corridor Monitoring, and tool and construction skills
• Outdoor Stewardship Institute (formerly COTI) : programs for trail crew leadership and basic trail building as well as "Sustainable Mountain Trails: Assessment, Planning & Design" course
• Georgia Trails and Greenways and Gainesville State College provide classes in Trail Design and Layout, Trail Construction, and Crew Leader Training
• IMBA Trailbuilding Schools: sponsored by Subaru of America and directed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, to teach sustainable trailbuilding
• Marshall University Park and Recreation Resources program of Huntington, WV, has developed and is teaching an off-highway vehicle trail design course via the internet
• Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society provides a variety of courses on Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
• Professional Trailbuilders Association sponsors the annual Trailbuilders Conference with workshops on technical aspects of planning, development, and management
• Student Conservation Association teaches skills in trail design, construction, and maintenance
• Trail Management: Plans, Projects and People: week-long interagency training for trail planning, design, development, and management
• University of Minnesota Center for Continuing Education teaches "Recreational Trails: Design, Construction, and Maintenance"
• See more training providers
• Check for training providers in your state

Resources for Trail Design and Construction

The Trail Building Index provides a wealth of articles, projects, and resources on design and construction issues.

Books on Backcountry and Natural Surface Trail Construction

The following books are available from the American Trails Store. Also see the American Trails Bibliography.

• Natural Surface Trails by Design Physical and Human Design Essentials of Sustainable, Enjoyable Trails; by Troy Scott Parker
• Trail Solutions: IMBA's Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack; Cutting-edge trailbuilding techniques with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format
• Lightly On The Land : The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual, 2nd Edition; the trail building and maintenance "Bible," updated and expanded to meet new techniques and new realities of the 21st century.
• Wetland Trail Design and Construction Robert Steinholtz and Brian Vachowski, US Department of Transportation and the US Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, Missoula Technology and development Center, 2001

Books on Greenways and Urban Trail Construction

The following books are available from the American Trails Store:

• Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design, and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails; by Charles Flink , Kristine Olka , Robert Searns; focus on urban and rail trails
• Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design and Development; by Charles A. Flink, Robert M. Searns, Loring LaB Schwarz

Tools for Trail Construction

An illustrated compendium of many of the tools commonly used in trail building and maintenance; compiled by Jim Schmid. Includes drawings, uses, and safety tips.

The National Trails Training Partnership is an alliance of Federal agencies, training providers, nationwide supporters, and providers of products and services. Visit the online calendar of training opportunities, access hundreds of trail-related resources, read the news, learn how you can help, and see training resources in your state.

RESOURCES and TRAINING for trail construction:

Courses
Books
Articles & projects
Bibliography
Glossary
Calendar
Products & services

CATEGORIES of SKILLS for trails and greenways work:

1. Trail Design
2. Construction
3. Maintenance
4. Management
5. Policies
6. Planning
7. Administration
8. Organizations
9. Partnerships
10. Resources
11. Information
12. Outreach

National
Trails Training Partnership:

Who we are
Featured training
Training by state
Calendar
Search the training database

Do you need training?
Do you have training opportunities you'd like to publicize?
Are you a trails expert who can teach trail skills to others?
The National Trails Training Partnership wants to work with you to make training more available.

Contact us!