Sustainable trail building focuses on creating trails that minimize environmental impact, enhance user safety, and require minimal maintenance over time. This involves careful planning, design, and construction techniques that consider the surrounding landscape and climate.

NBLS Trailworks is committed to the key principles of sustainable trail building:

Minimize Environmental Impact:

Sustainable trails are designed to avoid sensitive areas like wetlands, farmland, and areas with endangered species. They also minimize disturbance to the surrounding vegetation and wildlife.

Water Management:

A crucial aspect of sustainability is managing water flow. This involves creating proper out slopes on the trail to shed water, using drainage features like water bars, and ensuring water is diverted away from the trail to prevent erosion.

Trail Alignment and Grade:

Trails should follow the natural contours of the land, minimizing steep grades and switchbacks that can accelerate erosion.

User Safety and Experience:

Sustainable trails are designed to be safe and enjoyable for all users, with clear paths and appropriate grades for different user types.

Low Maintenance:

By incorporating features that manage water and minimize erosion, sustainable trails require less frequent maintenance and repair.

Community Involvement:

Engaging local communities and trail users in the planning and maintenance process can ensure the trail meets their needs and fosters a sense of ownership and stewardship.

Examples of Sustainable Trail Practices:

Following natural contours:

Trails should be aligned to follow the land’s natural contours, minimizing the need for extensive excavation and cutting.

Creating proper out slopes:

Out slopes help shed water off the trail, preventing erosion and keeping the trail surface drier.

Building water bars and drainage features:

These features help divert water away from the trail, preventing it from becoming a channel for erosion.

Using sustainable materials:

Choosing materials that are durable, locally sourced, and have a low environmental impact is important.

Revegetating disturbed areas:

Replanting vegetation around the trail helps stabilize the soil, prevents erosion, and enhances the natural beauty of the area.

By incorporating these principles, trail builders can create trails that are both enjoyable for users and benefi cial for the environment.