Trail Construction Skills and Competencies
Specific skills used in trails and greenways work: construction of trails; construction of various trail elements; construction of trailheads and related facilities.
by
American Trails Staff
California Conservation Corps crew at work on building an accessible trail overlooking Lake Tahoe
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
