filed under: interpretation
How far have I gone? How far is it to the trailhead?
Mileage can be marked off on signs, posts, stones, or stencils on the pavement.
by Stuart Macdonald, Trail Consultant, American Trails
Measuring distance along trails and greenways is important in urban areas as well as in the remote backcountry. Mileage can be marked off on signs, posts, stones, or stencils on the pavement. Being able to state more accurate locations along a trail can also help with emergency response. Maintenance needs can also be more readily identified where accurate mileage is measured. Some mile posts include the direction and distance to trailheads and access points. In some places such as trailheads, larger signs are used to convey distance and destination information. Presented here are a wide variety of solutions for conveying trail distances to trail users.
The classic concrete mile post with logo on the White River Trail, Indianapolis
Wood mile post with a reflector for safety on the Cady Way Trail, Orlando,Florida
Wood mile post along Cherry Creek Greenway, Parker, Colorado
Cast concrete post on Big Dry Creek Trail, Westminster, Colorado
Standardized concrete trail marker in Denver's City Park; 17 June 2010
Timber mileage marker post on the Highline Canal Trail; Greenwood Village, Colorado
Low milestone mile marker Los Gatos Creek Trail
Artistic mile markers along the Tennessee Riverway in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Thermoplastic mile marker applied to the concrete trail surface at Willamette River Greenway; Eugene, Oregon
Mile marker made from standard concrete block; Little Tennessee River Trail, Franklin, North Carolina
Metal sign marks distance on the Aurora Reservoir Trail; Aurora, Colorado
Mile post includes destination information on the Willamette River Greenway; Eugene, Oregon
Trail signs include mileage to destinations on the Schuylkill River Trail; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Privately-funded direction and mileage marker along Rock Creek Trail; Washington, DC
Trail signs include mileage between bridge access points on the Schuylkill River Trail; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sign listing distance to the trailhead
Published December 11, 2019
Stuart Macdonald spent 19 years as Colorado's State Trails Coordinator. He is the editor of American Trails Magazine. During 1998-99, he represented State Trail Administrators on the national committee that proposed regulations for accessible trails. He chaired the National Recreational Trails Committee, which advised the Federal Highway Administration in the first years of the Recreational Trails Program. Stuart grew up in San Diego and his main outdoor interest besides trails is surfing. He has a BA in English from San Francisco State and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Utah State.
Smart Outdoor Inc. is Bringing Innovative Signs to Trails in New York and Beyond
Westchester County New York and Friends of Westchester County Parks, in collaboration with Westchester County Parks, announce collaboration with Smart Outdoor to enhance 34.6-mile running trail.
2020 NRT Photo Contest Winners Announced
The results are in! Here are our picks from the 230 photos submitted for the 2020 photo contest.
Design for Understanding: Protecting Trail Users in the Time of Covid-19
Don Meeker, president of Terrabilt, reflects on trails as a critical sanctuary during COVID-19, and provides guidance on signage to keep everyone on trails safe. Terrabilt will also provide the production artwork for their COVID-19 trail sign for free.
Proper Signage Makes a Trail Come Alive
From wayfinding signage that help the public navigate your trail, to informational signs that educate trail visitors about the area, promote conservation, and create a more interactive experience, proper signage can take trails to the next level.
