Trails Unlimited will work alongside you to ensure your biking and hiking trails will be both fun, safe and sustainable. We have more than four decades of experience in the trail design and building industry, so we know how to optimize your trails. For your convenience, we come to your location to provide assessment, redesign, and construction services. We also teach you how to complete the work yourself and manage the trail if you prefer.
Blazing a Trail
Trails Unlimited employs a vast base of trail experts who have developed solutions to difficult trail design, construction, maintenance, and management situations they have encountered throughout their careers. Our veteran staff draws from this solid foundation to quickly propose proven solutions to challenges such as unstable/difficult soils (wet and arid), bridges, retaining walls, drainage structures, tread hardening, efficient maintenance methods, and many others.
Trails Unlimited will come to your project site, field-review your needs, and consult on a course of action. If you decide to utilize our oversight services for your construction or maintenance, we enter into an agreement on the spot and schedule a date to begin our services. From that point, we will provide the necessary means to complete your project on time and on budget. The cost to oversee the trail project varies widely and can only be accurately determined by detailed descriptions, narratives, and/or site visits.
Training Modules for Trail Planning and Management
Not sure where to start on building or redesigning trails on your property? Trails Unlimited provides you with the following training modules, which outline what you need from planning to operation.
Module 1
TRAIL PLANNING: 3 Days
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Developing a Vision
• Inventory
• Components of a Plan
• Determining Trail System Design
• Developing Trail Management Objectives (TMOs)
• Determining Trail User Needs
• Environmental Resource Considerations
• Facility Considerations: Trailheads, Signs, Visitor Information
Module 2
TRAIL LAYOUT AND DESIGN: 2 Days
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Inventory
• Specifications
• Trail Management Objectives (TMOs)
• Using Aerial Photos and Topographical Maps
• Layout
• Flag Lines and Staking
• Trail Logs and Engineer’s Construction Logs
Module 3
TRAIL CONSTRUCTION: 3+ Days
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Safety and Job Hazard Analysis
• Required Tools
• Trail Management Handbook – FSH 2309.18 and Trail Management Objectives (TMOs)
• Trail Surveying, Logs, Design and Layout
• Trail Construction and Specifications – EM 7720-102
• Water Control – Rolling Dip
• Switchbacks Versus Climbing Turns
• Retaining Walls – Surface Hardening
• Trail Publications
Module 4
MECHANIZED TRAIL EQUIPTMENT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION: 2-5 Days (5 Days for Certification)
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Safety and Job Hazard Analysis
• Controls
• Components and Power Systems
• Maintenance (Daily and Annual) and Repairs
• Trail Design, Layout, Water Control, Building Rolling Dips
• Field Project (OJT) – New Construction, Reconstruction and Maintenance
Module 5
ADVANCED MECHANIZED TRAIL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES: 10 Days
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Pretest
• Safety and Job Hazard Analysis
• Standards and Guidelines for Mechanized Trail Work
• Trail Management Objectives (TMOs)
• Trail Management Handbook – FSH 2309.1
• Trail Surveying for Construction & Reconstruction
• Layout and Design
• Trail Construction Specifications and Drawings
• Retaining Walls
• Overside, Underside, and Pipe Arch Drainage
• Surface Hardening and Underdrains
• Trail Publications
Module 6
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: 3+ Days
Lecture and Field Exercises Covering the Following Topics:
• Trail Management Objectives (TMOs)
• Maintenance Guidelines
• Operational Guidelines
• Patrols
• Volunteers
• Associations
• Maintenance Techniques
• Maps and Brochures
• Signs
• Reporting and Recording
Checking Your Trail
We provide assistance with development and maintenance plans as well as trail monitoring, relocation, and redesign. With an assessment, we help you determine what is broken and what needs to be fixed. We also make recommendations for repairs and provide estimates on their costs.