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Presentation on planning, design and layout of woodland trails.
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Developing Woodland Trails
John ExoUW-Extension
Learning Objectives
• Know how to design and construct a trail that meets your needs
• Know how to maintain your trails
Topics For Today
• Planning• Design • Maintenance
Many Benefits of Trails
• Expand recreational opportunities• Provide access for
multiple management uses
Did You Know? Approx. 42,000 miles of recreational trails in WisconsinSource: Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2000-2005. WI-DNR.
Photo by Matthew Davis
Ways of Developing Trails
• Improve existing trails• Establish during
forest management events• Build from
scratch
7 steps :• Determine the purpose• Inventory your property• Design the trail• Scout the trail corridor• Clear the trail• Construct the trail tread• Mark the trail
Photo by Matthew DavisSource: Recreational Trail Design and Construction. University of
Minnesota-Extension.
Building trails on your property
Starting Out: Planning your Trail
• What is its purpose?• What kind of trail do you want?• Where do you want it to go?
Kind of Trail
Purpose of Trail
Location of Trail
Your Trail’s Purpose
• Nature Trail • Access Trail• Recreational Trail
These are not mutually exclusive
Single vs. Multiple Use Trails• Trails built for a single use.
• Trails built for a combination uses:
Think about seasonal considerations.
SnowmobileHike-snowshoeHorse-ridingCross-country skiingFirebreaks
ATV’sMountain bikingWheelchair useBird-watching
Inventory your property
1. Get a map of the topography2. Walk your entire property3. Mark key features on the map
Other useful tools: aerial photos, soil maps, forest management plan
Topographic photo
Designing your trailFactors to consider:• Trail layout & length• Clearing width & height• Tread width• Trail surface• Turning radius• Percent grade• Sight distance & lines• Water crossings
Photo by Matthew Davis
Source: Recreational Trail Design and Construction. University of Minnesota-Extension.
Design Specifications: Layout and length
Layout options:– Linear trails– Loop trails–Connector and
spur trailsTrail Length:–Desired experience
and average speed
Image from UM-Extension
• Hiking• ATV• XC Skiing
Design Specifications:
height
widthtread
Clearing width, height and tread width
Design Specifications:
• Hiking• ATV• XC Skiing
Photo by Matthew Davis
Trail surface
• Bicycling• XC skiing• Snowmobiling
Image from UM-Extension
Design Specifications:Turning radius
Slope steepness
• Hiking• Horseback riding• Bicycling• XC Skiing
Design Specifications:
Sighting distance
Horseback riding Bicycling XC Skiing Snowmobiling
Design specifications:
• Horseback riding• XC Skiing• Snowmobiling
Image from UM-Extension
Design specifications:Water crossings
• Cross perpendicular to streams• Check for permit requirements!
Scouting the trail route
1. Walk the route with a map
2. Identify potential problem areas
3. Examine the land’s drainage in the spring
4. Mark the route with bright flagging tape
Clearing the trail• Remove trees, brush, and rocks from the
treadway• Treat stumps with herbicide?• Prune overhanging branches• Scatter debris to the side of the trail
The trail’s treadway
• Ideal surface is natural soil free of stones, stumps, and protruding roots
• Leveling soil surface is recommended
The trail’s treadway
• Protect the treadway from erosion-woodchips, mulch, grass seed, etc. -crushed stone or asphalt
Dealing with water problems
• Address existing erosion before moving soil.
• Design trail to minimize contact with water bodies
Dealing with water problems
Factors affecting erosion:
Numerous ways to combat erosion
Grade Soil type Curve radii Shading
Trail usage Vegetation Trail misuse
Sidehilling
Puncheon
Wet Area
Treadway
Cut in half
Marking your Trail
• Blazes – paint, plastic, or metal markers.
• Signs (if appropriate)– basic information, directions, distances, etc.
Trail Maintenance
• Maintenance just as important as construction.
• Annually or as needed.• Family activity or group project like scout
troops
Popular Trail Maintenance Equipment
• Chain saw• Brush mower• Tractor-mounted brush mower/hog• Hand tools
Photos by Stihl, Country Home Products, John Deere, and Forestry Suppliers
Next Steps:
• Evaluate existing trails for better functionality
• Layout new trails to address multiple needs
