Introduction to Walking Trail Survey, Design and Specification

Course Aim:

 Introduce learners to the principles, processes and techniques used to prepare plans and specifications for trail surface construction works.

Course Topics:

• Trails Survey types and methods
• Trail design principles
• Putting it all together – design and specification
• Identifying costs

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:

On completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Appreciate different survey methods for trail planning and management, their purpose and usefulness
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of trail design, materials and techniques
• Demonstrate an understanding of what makes a trail fit for purpose
• Comment on common mistakes in trail design
• Determine what type of survey to undertake for a particular project; use collected survey data to inform the planning and design for a trail
• Apply the basic principles which underpin trail sustainability into trail design
• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of information needed to prepare a specification
• Understand how to use this information in identifying an indicative cost for this project

Target Audience:

• 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.