Introduction to Walking Trail Construction Techniques

Course Aim:

To introduce the theory, techniques and practical skills necessary to construct and maintain sustainable and fit for purpose trail surfaces.

Course Topics:

• What is trail surface ‘damage’ and why does it happen?
• Types of Trail surface
• Soils and trails
• Water impacts and management
• Trail building principles, materials and techniques
• Trail surface monitoring & maintenance planning
• Site Safety and Hazard awareness

Courses will be ran over 1 day and combine classroom and practical sessions. Course sizes will be capped at 16 to ensure maximum benefit is received by participants.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the courses learners will be able to:

• Explain the main types and causes of trail surface damage
• Describe a range of design considerations and materials which can be used to minimise damaging impacts to trail surfaces
• Apply a range of basic techniques to address commonly encountered trail surface maintenances issues as well as to the construction of new trails or sections of trail
• Monitor trail surfaces efficiently to identify problems and issues at an early stage and use collected data/information to develop and implement maintenance and repair plans
• Identify hazards and risks for a given maintenance/repair operation and implement mitigation and emergency procedures

Target Audience:

The course is suitable for anybody with an interest in trails and the outdoors but will be of particular interest to:

• CE Schemes, RSS and Tus supervisors and staff
• Local Authority staff
• Forestry staff
• Trail management committee members
• Volunteers and other persons likely to be working on trail maintenance.