More Trailbuilding Resources

Resources and Library:

Cool Trail Solutions

Trails with two adjacent treads

Separate trails in the same corridor provide for different activities. In many urban trail corridors the sheer amount of use creates some dificulties for sharing the trail. Wider trails are one solution. But how wide do you want to make the trail? And does a single surface material satisfy all trail users? In many cases, the better solution is to provide two or even three pathways or trail treads with different surfaces. Other treatments seek to make the separation of treads more clear. The two treads may be adjacent or some distance away. The secondary tread may even be an informal path made by mountain bicyclists or horse riders. Signs or pavement markings may also be provided to clarify the separation.

See trail surfacing manufacturers in the American Trails Business Directory

Click on any photo to see it full size along with more information:

Adjoining treads, one hard surface and one soft, is the typical situation; Highline Canal Trail, Aurora, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, December 2010

Slight separation between the adjoining treads, one concrete and the other natural surface often used by equestrians; Crown Hill Park trails in Wheat Ridge, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 20 Dec 2010

Runners use the soft surface path along paved Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 6 October 2006

Informal trail tread along Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 6 October 2006

The paved trail is on the canal embankment while the unpaved tread is at the edge of the corridor; Highline Canal Trail, Greenwood Village, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 18 October 2009

Well-built crusher fines trail is separated from concrete Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 14 Oct 2009

Patterned concrete marks the walking trail while the bike trail is asphalt; Pacific Beach, San Diego; photo by Stuart Macdonald, February 2007

Raised boardwalk trail is for pedestrians on Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth MN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 8 Sept 2007

Paved bikeway adjacent to wood boardwalk along Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth MN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 8 Sept 2007

Crusher fines trail is separated from concrete Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 6 Nov 2009

Crusher fines trail marked for pedestrians along Mary Carter Greenway by the Platte River, South Suburban Park District, Colorado; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 7 Nov 2010

Separated bicycle and pedestrian routes, both paved, along West River Parkway, Minneapolis; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 29 Oct 2010

Signs between the bicycle and pedestrian routes, West River Parkway, Minneapolis; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 29 Oct 2010

Sign directing both bikers and walkers along Aurora, Colorado, Highline Canal Trail; photo by Stuart Macdonald, December 2010

Stencils on separate paved bike and pedestrian lanes in Seattle's Alki neighborhood; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 4 Sept 2008

Crushed rock trail adjacent to concrete greenway; Clear Creek National Recreation Trail, Wheat Ridge CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 1 Aug 2009

Informal hiking and running tread next to concrete Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 6 Nov 2009

Equestrians have made their own informal path along Van Bibber Creek Trail, Jefferson County Open Space, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 1 Aug 2009

ATVs have their own road base tread along Tri-County Recreation Corridor, Superior, WI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 Sept 2007