Sustainable trails begin with strong fundamentals - and effective drainage is at the center of it all. This session explores the core principles of trail planning, layout, construction, and maintenance that every trail professional should understand, regardless of role or experience level.
Topics include understanding slope and grade, contour alignment, sheet flow and drainage, bench cut construction, grade reversals, trail assessment, and common maintenance strategies. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how water, terrain, soils, and trail design interact, and how foundational decisions influence long-term trail sustainability, maintenance needs, and user experience.
Designed for land managers, trail crews, volunteers, planners, and emerging trail professionals, this session provides a practical overview of the essential concepts behind sustainable trail development and stewardship.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the fundamental principles of sustainable trail design and drainage.
Participants will describe how slope, grade, contour alignment, sheet flow, soils, and terrain interact to influence trail sustainability and performance.
Identify effective trail construction and maintenance techniques.
Participants will recognize appropriate applications of bench cut construction, grade reversals, drainage features, trail assessment, and common maintenance strategies.
Evaluate trail conditions to support long-term sustainability.
Participants will assess how planning, layout, construction, and maintenance decisions affect water management, maintenance needs, trail durability, and user experience.
Presenters:
Mariah Keagy, Sinuosity