Trail Planning Skills and Competencies

Specific skills used in planning individual trails and greenways; identifying routes and experiences for park systems; developing plans for regional and statewide systems; developing goals and objectives for trail projects.

by American Trails Staff

Skills for Natural Surface Trail Planning

  • Identifying goals, activities, routes, and alternatives
  • Sustainable trail planning
  • Planning for different trail activites or shared uses
  • Analyzing resources and visitor needs as part of trail system planning
  • Planning for off-highway vehicle parksand use areas
  • Using and interpreting aerial photographs

Skills for Urban Trail and Bike/Ped Planning

  • Planning greenways and river corridors
  • Including trails in utility and transportation corridors
  • Planning systems of on-street and trail facilities
  • Planning intermodal bicycle/pedestrian facilities

Skills for Regional and Statewide Trail Planning

  • Identifying uses, needs, and opportunities
  • Conducting surveys and public input on plans
  • Identifying and mapping potential corridors

Skills for Multi-objective Planning

  • Working with utility, transportation, and other corridors to include trails
  • Participate in land use planning process at the county, state, and regional levels
  • Plan trails in conjunction with driving tours, scenic byways, and other tourism program
  • Provide advice in the evaluation and study process for proposed national scenic and historic trails
  • Using public involvement strategies and designing and evaluating public involvement processes

More articles by this author

More Articles in this Category

Sugar Bottom Mountain Biking Trail System, Coralville Reservoir, Iowa

Set in rugged terrain surrounding the Coralville Reservoir on the Iowa River, the trail is managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

FAQ: Our roads are in bad shape... why spend money on trails?

There is a huge amount of evidence that trails add value to properties and bring in significant increases in tourism spending, that roads just do not have.

Economy, Environment and Health Benefit from Trails, Two New Studies Show

Trails contribute more than $8.2 billion to Washington state's economy, according to companion studies released by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

James L. Oberstar - Congressman and Advocate for Trails and Bicycling

Congressman Jim Oberstar was a supporter of the Recreational Trails Program and a sponsor of the transportation bills which included funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs as well as trails.

Centennial Trail, Indian River County, Florida

Located at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.75-mile accessible trail tells the story of the first national wildlife refuge and celebrates the entire Refuge System, offering visitors the chance to learn about each national wildlife refuge in the country while enjoying scenic overlooks and abundant wildlife.

Basic Elements of Trail Design and Trail Layout

The goal of trail building is to create a long-term relationship between humans and nature.

Diversity American Trails advances the development of diverse, high quality trails and greenways for the benefit of people and communities.
Search This Site