Skills pages:

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

NTTP Homepage

SKILLS and COMPETENCIES for Trails Training

Hosted by AmericanTrails.org

Categories of skills used in trails and greenways work, along with links to classes and resources for training. Also see National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment

This area categorizes and defines the wide range of skills used in trails and greenways work. The goal is to comprehensively identify the range of competencies and knowledge used by staff and volunteers engaged in every kind of trail work. Web pages for the 12 topics provides a catalogue of skills, plus links to resources, publications, and training providers.

This area is compiled and maintained by Stuart Macdonald from resources provided by members of the National Trails Training Partnership. Many of the specific skills were identified by the task force for the National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE skills and competencies

Specific skills used in maintenance of trails and greenways: maintenance of trails; repair of various trail elements; maintenance of trailheads and related facilities. See below for training and resources links for trail MAINTENANCE.

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

photo of kids with shovels

Jefferson County (CO) youth crews address
drainage issues with crushed rock surfacing

Skills for Natural Surface Trail Maintenance

Tools and safety for hand trail maintenance
Maintenance of off-highway vehicle routes and trails
Maintenance of on-snow routes for skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter trail uses

Skills for Maintenance of Trail-related Elements

Maintaining drainage and water control elements

Skills for Accessible Trail Maintenance

Maintaining surfaces and facilities for accessible trails

Skills for Urban Trail and Bike/Ped Facility Maintenance

Materials and paving installation
Using vehicles for trail cleaning and snow removal

Skills for Trailhead Facility Maintenance

Maintaining signs and trail user information structures

Skills for Inspection and Maintenance of Structures

Inspection and maintenance of hand-built backcountry bridges
Inspection and maintenance of puncheon, corduroy, and turnpikes
Inspection and maintenance of boardwalks
Inspection and maintenance of rock walls and steps

TRAINING and RESOURCES for trail maintenance

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 Maintenance

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
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, maintenance skills, and "Sustainable Mountain Trails: Assessment, Planning & Design" course
Georgia Trails and Greenways and Gainesville State College provide classes in Trail Maintenance 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"
Universal Trail Assessment Process training teaches trail assessments for accessibility maintenance, and visitor management
See more training providers
Check for training providers in your state

Resources for Trail Maintenance

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

BOOKS on Backcountry and Natural Surface Trail Maintenance

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

Managing Mountain Biking: IMBA's Guide to Providing Great Riding; by the International Mountain Bicycling Association
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
Natural Surface Trails by Design Physical and Human Design Essentials of Sustainable, Enjoyable Trails; by Troy Scott Parker

More books on trail design:

Trails Maintenance Manual Free to all maintainers.
A.T. Design, Construction, and Maintenance by William Birchard, Jr., Robert D. Proudman, and the Regional Staff of the Appalachian Trail Conference, 2nd edition, March 2000, ISBN 0-917953-72-X.
A.T. Fieldbook: Maintenance & Rehabilitation Guidelines, A key supplement for volunteers to Appalachian Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance. It's 96 pages, spiral-bound, and pocket-sized, made for field work.
The Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance; Carl Demrow and David Salisbury, 3rd Edition, Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club 1998, ISBN:1-878239-54-6
Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook; Woody Hesselbarth and Brian Vachowski; US Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, Missoula Technology and development Program, Revised 2004
Washington Trails Association - Guide to Trail Work Online guide.

BOOKS on Greenways and Urban Trail Maintenance

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

BOOKS on Off-Highway Vehicle Trail and Facility Maintenance

Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation; by Tom Crimmins; by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
Park guidelines for off-highway vehicles: A resource guide to assist in the planning, development, enhancement, and operation of OHV recreation facilities; by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

TOOLS for Trail Maintenance

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

The National Trails Training Partnership

American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 • nttp@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

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.

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under Cooperative Agreement DTFH61-06-H-00023. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration.