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 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.
iZone Imaging Brings Bugtopia to Life Through Signage
posted Jan 14, 2022
iZone Imaging’s High Pressure Laminate brings to life the interpretive signage throughout the Brawn Family Foundation Bugtopia Playground at the Calgary Zoo. The signs are eco-friendly and can withstand the high traffic interactive area over time. (Sponsored Content)
Signage Solutions for Every Trail System
posted Jun 11, 2021
Pannier is the leading manufacturer of signs, panels, exhibit bases, and frames. With a full line of exhibit bases, there is a product for every trail and wayside application.
posted May 7, 2021
This National Sign Guidebook presents information for planning, designing, fabricating, procuring, installing, and maintaining signs in a clear, complete, and user friendly format.
posted May 6, 2021
The purpose of this document is to provide the required tools for trail planners, designers, and contractors to deploy a cohesive trail signage program throughout the City of San José’s Trail Network.
