Understanding Trail Construction

Trail construction looks very different from building, roadway, and other conventional construction projects.

Photo: Allegra Trails

Trail Construction Is Specialized Work

Trail construction combines skilled field work, specialized equipment, and site-specific construction techniques. Depending on the project, work may include tread construction, rockwork, drainage, surfacing, structures, specialty trail features, and restoration.

How that work is completed varies with terrain, soils and geology, vegetation, access, intended trail use, design and specifications, permitting requirements, and other site constraints.

Trail construction also requires field decision-making as the work responds to actual conditions on the ground.

Photo: OBP Trailworks

Trail-Sized Equipment

Professional trail construction uses compact, trail-sized equipment that can work within relatively narrow construction corridors and access areas. The equipment used depends on the work, terrain, access, materials, and site constraints.

Common trail-sized equipment may include:

  • Mini excavators

  • Compact track loaders and mini skid steers

  • Tracked material carriers

  • Small dozers

  • Compaction equipment

  • Specialized attachments for excavation, grading, rockwork, and material handling

Equipment needs extend beyond the trail tread. Staging, material handling, hauling, and site access can require additional equipment depending on the project.

Photos: Great Lakes Trailbuilders, Community Trail Design, DestinationTrail, Tony Boone Trails

See some of the compact equipment used in professional trail construction and how different machines support different types of work.

Thanks to Jed Talbot and OBP Trailworks for putting this video!

Trail Construction Is Linear and Dispersed

Unlike a conventional construction site, trail construction typically has a relatively narrow, linear construction footprint, with work moving along the trail as construction progresses.

  • The construction footprint is wider than the finished trail tread, but typically only as wide as needed for crews, equipment, materials, and construction activities.

  • A trail may be field-fit within a much wider approved corridor. That does not mean the entire corridor is cleared or disturbed.

  • Clearing and disturbance are typically limited to the area needed to construct the trail. Trees and vegetation outside that area are protected, and vegetation within it may be selectively retained. In forested settings, much of the existing tree canopy can often remain.

  • Bike parks, pump tracks, skills areas, and other trail facilities may have a more concentrated construction footprint and involve greater grading or disturbance.

Photos: CreativeLines, OBP Trailworks

Hand Tools Are Essential to Trail Construction

Mechanized equipment may move a lot of material, but hand tools are used throughout trail construction for the detailed work that shapes and finishes the trail.

Hand tools are used to:

  • Shape and finish trail tread

  • Build drainage features

  • Set and finish rockwork

  • Construct details and features

  • Work in tight or inaccessible areas, or where mechanized equipment is limited or prohibited

Most trail projects use hand tools and mechanized equipment together, with each suited to different parts of the work.

Photos: Allegra Trails, Camelot Tools, Dirt Tek Trails, Progressive Trail Design

Access + Moving Materials

Getting crews, equipment, and materials to the work site can be a significant part of trail construction.

Materials may be moved by hand, trail-sized carriers and other equipment, or—in remote locations—by helicopter. Access, staging, hauling distances, and material sources can all affect construction methods, schedule, and cost.

Photos: Long Cane Trails, CreativeLines

Trail Construction Can Include Many Types of Work

Depending on the project, work may involve:

  • Native-surface tread

  • Tread hardening and aggregate surfacing

  • Drainage features

  • Rockwork and retaining structures

  • Bridges, boardwalks, and other structures

  • Specialty trail features

  • Site restoration and decommissioning

Photos: Town 4 Trail Services, Destination Trail, Tony Boone Trails, FlowRide Concepts

Explore Trail Contracting Scope Items

Trail construction is highly site-specific. A clear scope gives prospective contractors the information they need to understand the work, site conditions, quantities, specifications, access, constraints, and where field decision-making may be needed.

The Trail Contracting Scope Items can help identify what needs to be defined for your project.

Explore Trail Contracting Scope Items

Photo: TrailScapes