Trail
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Sabreshockey89
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/* BMX trails */ J was missing on jumps T was missing on Things
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{{redirect|Footpath}}
[[Image:Autumn mountain trail.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A mountain trail in autumn]]
[[Image:Path.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A country trail in [[Slovenia]]]]
A '''trail''' is a path or [[road]] used for [[walking]], [[cycling]], [[cross-country skiing]], or other activities. Some trails are off-limits to everyone other than [[hikers]], and a few trails allow motorized [[vehicle]]s.
==Etymology==
In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[United States]], the word '''footpath''' is also used to mean a trail; however in [[Australian English]], [[New Zealand English]], [[Indian English]] this word means "sidewalk" ([[American English]]) or "pavement" ([[British English]]).
In [[Australia]], the word '''track''' can be used interchangeably with '''trail''', and can refer to anything from a [[dirt road]] to a pedestrian walkway (generally also unpaved). The term "trail" gained popularity during [[World War II]], when many [[servicemen]] from the [[United States]] were stationed in Australia, which probably influenced its being adopted by elements of the Australian media at the time (see [[Kokoda Track]]). In [[New Zealand]], the word '''track''' is used almost exclusively except in reference to [[cross-country skiing]], where '''trail''' is used. In England and Wales, the government-promoted long-distance paths are known as '[[long-distance footpaths in the UK|National Trails]]'
==Trail types and use==
===Walking trails===
[[Image:DirkvdM sendero quetzales.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Sendero de los quetzales]] in [[Panamá]]]]
Trail use has become very popular for a wide variety of users. Some trails are designated as '''nature trails''', and are used by people learning about the natural world. Many trails are designated '''day trails''', meaning that they are generally used by people out for a short hike, less than a day. Some trails are designated '''backpacking trails''', or [[long-distance trail]]s, and are used by both day [[Hiking|hikers]] and by [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpackers]]. Some of the trails are over a thousand miles (1,500 km) long and may be hiked in sections by backpackers, or completed in one trip by dedicated hikers. Some trails are specifically used by other outdoor enthusiasts to gain access to another feature, such as good [[climbing]] sites. Many [[Running|runners]] also favor running on trails rather than pavement, as giving a more vigorous work-out and better developing agility skills, as well as providing a more pleasant exercise environment.
{{seealso|Trail running}}
====Stairway trails====
[[Stairway]] trails are another way to ascend higher slopes. The stairs are constructed by making cuts in the dirt, rocks, or concrete. Stairway trails are usually for walking only. Popular stairway trails include the Stairway Trails in [[Bernal Heights]], East - [[San Francisco]], and the stairs at many hilltop [[Hindu temple]]s such as the [[Palani Murugan Temple]] located in [[Tirumala]], used during [[Pilgrimage#Hinduism|pilgrimage]] & [[Machu Picchu]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
===Bicycle trails===
[[Image:Hikeandbiketrail.JPG|thumb|300px|right|A [[bicycle trail]] in [[Granbury, Texas]]]]
Recent decades have seen an explosion of interest in [[bicycling|cycling]], both on the street and also [[Offroad cycling|off-road]]. Many graded, surfaced [[bike path]]s have been built for both uses, but off-road bicycling is more popular, termed [[mountain biking|''mountain'' biking]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}} A common term used to refer to a "bicycle trail" is simply a "bike trail". These trails may be built to a different set of standards than foot trails, requiring more stable and harder surfaces, less strenuous [[grade (slope)|grade]]s, longer sight visibility, and less sharp changes in direction. On the other hand, the cross-slope of a bike trail may be significantly greater than a foot trail, and the path may be narrower in some cases.
A particular offshoot of trail biking is ''[[downhilling]]'', which can be environmentally destructive if not well-managed. Downhilling is particularly popular at ski resorts such as Mammoth Mountain in California or Whistler in British Columbia, where ski lifts are used to get bikes and riders to the top of the mountain.
Because of the greater need for more gradual grades, changing elevations may involve sidehill trails with multiple switchbacks, while these may not be necessary for hikers. In cases where hikers use these bike trails, attention must be paid to the potential of cutting across switchbacks.
Where bike trails intersect with pedestrian or equestrian trails, signage at the intersections is important, and high visibility onto the intersecting trails must be a priority in order to prevent collisions between fast-moving cyclists and slower moving hikers and horses. Bicycles and horses should be allowed on the same trails where the trail is wide enough with good visibility.
A well designed bike trail will have an average grade of less than 10%, and will generally follow a contour line, rather than straight downhill. The trail should slope out or across the trail 3-5% downhill to encourage water to run off the side, rather than down the trail bed. In addition, frequent grade reversals also prevent water from running down the trail, make the trail more fun and interesting to ride, and generally help keep bike speeds down, providing a more safe trail experience for all users.
The [[International Mountain Bicycling Association]] is an excellent resource on trail system design, trail building and maintenance.
===BMX trails===
"Trails," or trail riding, is a branch of the BMX community dedicated to building "dirt jumps," "trails," "doubles," and "sets."
jumps make BMXing more fun and add challenge to your trails. You don't have to be an expert engineer to make dirt bike jumps, but you do need to be willing to spend some time and energy to make the dirt jumps right.
Things You’ll Need:
Spray paint (optional)
Dirt
Shovels
Wheelbarrow or bucket
Water
Step
1
Plan your course. Know the starting point and plan enough pits between jumps so you can maintain or build additional speed before hitting the next jump. Look for spots where you can place a jump between trees or place a double or triple jump.
Step
2
Start with enough room to gain speed before hitting the first jump. Allow room to land by making the area wider and longer when necessary. You may want to give notice for hip jumps that require turning mid-air to land by spray painting an arrow with the direction of the turn on the ground before the jump.
Step
3
Collect dirt and pile it in the locations for your jumps. The average dirt bike jump is 4 feet tall, but a variety of sizes makes the course more challenging. Take the dirt from the pit areas as you smooth them down or from areas you won't use for your course.
Step
4
Shape the dirt piles into berms, or mounded piles. Use a flat shovel to pack the dirt down. Make sure you don't have any flat spots, rocks or twigs that could trip up riders.
Step
5
Water down your jumps and allow them to dry. The water compresses the dirt and packs it into place. You may need to add dirt, repack and water down again if flat spots occur or the jumps don't look right to you.
===Equestrian trails===
{{POV|date=March 2008}}{{globalize}}
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Stonyman Summit.jpg|thumb|250px|The entrance of a trail, also called a [[trailhead]], where [[horseback riding]] and dog walking are not allowed]] --><!-- Picture should be placed somewhere else -->
[[Horseback riding]] and other [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] uses of trails continue to be a popular activity for many trail users.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Again, '''horse trails''' must be built to different standards than other trails.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Sight distance is an important issue with horse trails, as is overhead and side clearance.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} While trail surface types are a relatively insignificant issue with hikers, they may be an important issue with horses.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Horses can negotiate much steeper terrain on a dirt trail, for instance, than on a gravel trail. Horses can usually negotiate much the same grades as hikers, but not always, although they can more easily clear obstacles in the path such as logs. A hard trail surface and drainage is a critically important issue on horse trails because of the relatively greater bearing impact of the horse's hoof on the trail than a hiker's foot.
Within the [[United States]] National Trail Classification System,<ref> National Trail Classification System, FSM 2350, and FSH 2309.18, Federal Register: July 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 127), Pages 38021-38052 [http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2006/July/Day-03/i5967.htm online copy on epa.gov]</ref> equestrian trails include simple day-use bridle paths and others built to accommodate long strings of pack animals on journeys lasting many days. Trail design parameters for these uses include trail base width and material, trail clear width, trail clear height, access to water suitable for stock (not human) use, and trail routing.
===Cross-country skiing===
[[Image:Ski trails.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Prepared ski trails for cross-country skiing.]]
In [[cross-country skiing]], a trail (also called a 'track' or 'piste') refers to the parallel grooves cut into the [[snow]], one for each [[ski]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
===Motorized trails===
[[Image:Tires to deers ears.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A country trail created by vehicle tire marks in [[Butte County, South Dakota|Butte County]], [[South Dakota]]]]
Motorized trail use also remains very popular with some people. Such terms as ''ORV'', ''four-wheeling'', ''all-terrain vehicle'', and others actually have highly specific meanings. In the [[United States]], this group of people have a very strong political lobby. The [[Recreational Trail Program]] defined as part of the [[Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act]] (ISTEA, pronounced "ice tea", {{IPAEng|ˌɑɪs ˈtiː}}) of 1991 mandates that states must use a minimum of 30 percent of these funds for motorized trail uses.
===Urban and suburban trails===
Though the term ''trail'' conjures up images of a well-beaten path in a [[woodland]] setting, more and more frequently, the term is coming to refer to any sort transportation route designed for non-automobile traffic. For example, a trend sweeping [[Northern America]], especially in the rural [[Atlantic Northeast|Northeast]], is the conversion of abandoned [[railways]] into [[rail trail]]s. Examples include the [[Ashuwillticook Rail Trail]] in [[Berkshire County]] and the [[Northern RailTrail]] of [[New Hampshire]]. Though these wide, often paved pathways could have easily been used as roads, their focus on recreational use for pedestrians and cyclists is what sets them apart as trails.
In Northern America, where [[urban sprawl]] has begun to strike even the most rural communities, developers and local leaders are currently striving to make their communities more conducive to non-motorized transportation through the use of less traditional "trails." The [[Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]] has established the [[Active Living by Design]] program to improve the [[livability]] of communities in part through the trails, both in a more traditional sense, as is being done by the [[Upper Valley Trails Alliance]] or in the broader, as is being done by [[Groundwork Somerville]].
Another type of trail that was quite popular in the 1970s and 1980s but is less popular today is the [[Assault course|exercise trail]] (also known as trim trail), which combines running with exercise stations.
The term ''trail'' has also been used by developers and urban planners for a variety of modern paved [[road]]s, [[highway]]s, and [[boulevard]]s. A particularly unusual use of the term is in the province of [[Alberta]], [[Canada]], which has multi-[[lane]] [[freeway]]s called "trails".
==Segregation==
Trail segregation, the practice of designating certain trails as having a specific preferred or exclusive use, is increasingly common and diverse. For example, [[segregated cycle facilities]], for bicycles, are used not only on roads open to motor vehicles, but also in trail systems open to other trail users. Some trails are segregated for use by both equestrians and mountain bikes, or by equestrians only, or by mountain bikes only. Designated "wilderness area" trails may be segregated for non-wheeled use (hence permit backpacking and horses but exclude mountain bikes and motorized vehicles).
Often, trail segregation for a particular use is accompanied by prohibitions against that use on other trails within the trail system.
Trail segregation may be supported by signage, markings, trail design and construction (especially selection of tread materials), and by separation between parallel treads. Separation may be achieved by "natural" barriers including distance, ditching, banking, grading, and vegatation, and by "artificial" barriers including fencing, curbing, and walls.
The opposite of segregated use is shared use. Shared use may be achieved by sharing a trail easement, but within it maintaining segregated and sometimes also separated trail treads. This is common in [[rail trail]]s. Shared use may also refer to alternate day arrangements, whereby two uses are segregated by being permitted on alternate days. This is increasingly common in [[long distance trail]]s shared by equestrians and mountain bike users; these two user communities have similar trail requirements but may experience encounters with each other on the trail as difficult.
==Trail administration==
{{Expand-section|date=January 2007}}
In 1968, the United States created its [[National Trails System]], which includes [[National Scenic Trail]]s, [[National Historic Trail]]s and [[National Recreation Trail]]s.
The rules and regulations for a trail are written and enforced by the land management agency in charge of the trail. A trail may be completely contained within one administration (e.g. a State Park) or it may pass through multiple administrations, leading to a confusing array of regulations, allowing dogs or mountain bikes in one segment but not in another, or requiring [[Wilderness Permits]] for a portion of the trail, but not everywhere.
In the United States agencies administering trails include the [[National Park Service]], the [[U.S. Forest Service]], the [[Bureau of Land Management]], State Park systems, County Parks, cities, private organizations such as land trusts, businesses and individual property owners.
New trail construction by an agency must often be assessed for its environmental impact and conformance with State or Federal laws. For example, in California new trails must undergo reviews specified by the California Environmental Quality Act [[CEQA]][http://www.ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/].
In the [[United Kingdom]] many trails and footpaths are of ancient origin and are protected under law as [[Rights of way in the United Kingdom|rights of way]]. In ireland, the [http://www.keepirelandopen.org/ Keep Ireland Open] organization is campaigning for similar rights.
==Trail construction==
[[Image:Under the rumbling Steinsdalsfossen.png|thumb|200px|right|A trail constructed under the waterfall [[Steinsdalsfossen]].]]
While many trails have arisen through common usage, quality trail design and construction is a complex process requiring certain sets of skills.
When a trail passes across a flat area that is not wet, often all that is required is to clear brush, tree limbs and undergrowth to produce a clear, walkable trail. When crossing streams, [[bridge]]s may or may not be desirable, depending on the size of the stream and the depth of its banks. In wet areas, it may be necessary to create an elevated '''trailway''' with fill or by building a [[boardwalk]]. One problem with boardwalks is that they require frequent maintenance and replacement - boards in poor condition are often slippery and hazardous.
===Trails on slopes===
A common mistake in establishing trails is to make them on slopes that are too steep for comfort and the environment. Such steep trails generally result in serious erosion, a wide swath of impacted area as walkers go to the sides to find better footing, and the inability of many hikers to walk the trail. An absolute limit for trail grades is a [[grade (slope)|grade]] of one in six, and a more practical limit is a slope of one in eight.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Trails that ascend steep slopes may use [[hairpin turn|switchback]]s (also called hairpins), but switchback design and construction is a specialized topic that takes great care. The best trail designs eliminate switchbacks.
If a trail is being made to be accessible to off-[[road]] [[wheelchair]]s, the grade should be no more than one in ten. If a paved trail has to be accessible to all wheelchairs, the grade must be no more than one in twelve, with periodic level pull-offs.
The '''off-slope''', or '''side-slope''', of the trail also must be considered. This is the slope of the trail from side to side, and should never be more than one in twelve. Side-sloped trails are prone to [[gully]]ing. Ideally, the treadway of the trail should be almost, but not quite, level in cross-section.
Achieving the proper slope in hilly terrain usually requires the excavation of '''sidehill''' trail. This is trailway that is constructed by establishing a line of suitable slope across a hillside, then digging out by means of a [[mattock]] or similar tool to create the trail. This may be a '''full-bench''' trail, where the treadway is only on the firm ground surface after the overlying soil is removed and thrown to the side as waste, or a '''half-bench''' trail, where soil is removed and packed to the side so that the treadway is half on firm old ground and half on new packed fill. In problem areas, it may be necessary to establish the trail entirely on fill. In cases where filling is used, it's necessary to pack it firmly and to revisit the site periodically to add to the fill and repack it until fully stable.
===Drainage===
[[Image:Waterbar.jpg|250px|left|thumb|A [[waterbar]] in [[New York]]'s [[Catskill Mountains]]. The trail forks right; the drainage ditch to the left.]]
An important and often-overlooked factor in trail construction is that of drainage. Where a trail is near the top of a hill or ridge, this is usually a minor issue, but when it is farther down it can become a very major issue. Trails, by their nature, tend to become [[drainage]] channels and eventually gullies if the drainage is not properly controlled.
In areas of heavy water flow along a trail, it may be necessary to create a ditch on the uphill side of the trail with drainage points across the trail. The cross-drainage may be accomplished by means of [[culvert]]s, which must be cleared on a semi-annual basis, or by means of cross-channels, often created by placing logs or timbers across the trail in a downhill direction, called "thank-you-marms", "deadmen", or '''[[waterbar]]s'''. Using timbers or rocks for this purpose also creates [[erosion]] barriers. Rock paving in the bottom of these channels and in the trailside ditches may help to maintain stability of these. Ideally, waterbars should be created, with or without ditching, at major points of water flow on or along the trail, and in conjunction, if possible, with existing drainage channels below the trail. Another important technique is to create '''coweeta dips''', or drain dips, points on the trail where it falls briefly (for a meter or so) and then rises again. These provide positive drainage points that are almost never clogged by debris.
===Water crossings===
For pedestrian use, footbridges may be preferred. Other options are stepping stones and shallow fords. For equestrian use, shallow fords may be preferred.
===Trail width===
Trail width has two main components: width of the trail base or '''footbed'''; and width of the clear space on either side of the trail, as in cuts on steep slopes, tunnels, and through vegetation. Variants in width include [[single track]] and [[two track]] trails.
===Multi-use trails===
Trails intended for use by bicycles, wheelchairs, equestrians, and pedestrians will often be surfaced, especially in heavily-used or urban areas. A wide variety of surface materials are used, including [[asphalt]] paving and compressed [[stone dust]]. Such trails will also have well-built bridges with a supported deck and side rails.
There has been a major effort to convert abandoned railroad grades to [[bike path]]s or multi-use paths. This has been termed "[[rails-to-trails]]". Railroads in use with adjacent trails are [[rail with trail|rails with trails]].
===Signage===<!-- This section is linked from [[Tuscarora Trail]] -->
{{Main article|Trail blazing}}
[[Image:Trail blaze-symbols.svg|thumb|The most common symbols used in [[trail blazing]]]]
For long-distance trails, or trails where there is any possibility of anyone taking a wrong turn, '''[[Trail blazing|blazing]]''' or signage should be provided. This may be accomplished by using either paint on natural surfaces or by placing pre-made medallions. Horseshoe-shaped blazes are good for bridle trails. The [[Appalachian Trail]] is blazed with white rectangles. Blue is often used for side trails. [[European long-distance paths|European walking paths]] are blazed with yellow points encircled with red. However, other walking paths in European countries are blazed in a variety of manners.
===Maintenance===
Natural surface, single track trails will require some ongoing maintenance. However, if the trail is properly designed and constructed, maintenance should be limited to clearing downed trees, trimming back brush and clearing drainages. Depending on location, if the trail is properly designed, there should be no need for major rework such as grading or erosion control efforts. However, mountain trails which see both significant rainfall and human traffic may require "trail hardening" efforts in order to prevent further erosion. Most of the seemingly natural rock steps on the mountain trails of the northeast United States are, in fact, the work of professional and volunteer trail crews.
==See also==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
* [[Boardwalk]]
* [[Desire lines]]
* [[Cavalcade]]
* [[Great Baikal Trail]]
{{Col-break}}
* [[Inca road system#Inca trail to Machu Picchu|Inca trail to Machu Picchu]]
* [[Jeep trail]]
* [[Kokoda Trail]]
* [[Long-distance trail]]
{{Col-break}}
* [[Rail trail]]
* [[Rights of way in England and Wales]]
* [[Rights of way in Scotland]]
* [[Segregated cycle facilities]]
{{Col-end}}
==References==
<references />
==External links==
{{Commons|Trail}}
* [http://www.backcountrysecrets.com/showAllSecrets.aspx?sport=5 Backcountry Secrets Hiking Trails] - Hiking trails submitted by members from around the world. Some trails have GPX files when submitted by the members.
* [http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/index.html IMBA.com - Trailbuilding Resources] - Information on building and managing shared use and bike specific trails
* [http://www.slackpacker.com/ Slackpacker.com] - Designed to provide convenient access to websites with hiking and backpacking trail maps, descriptions, journals, trip reports, and photographs
* [http://www.tierrawiki.org/ TierraWiki] - Community project designed to build a digital database of trails using GPS data
* [http://www.trail-wiki.com Wiki dedicated to trail guides and community] - Hiking, biking, riding, and driving trails
* [http://www.wikiwalki.com WikiWalki] - Member submitted hiking trails with maps
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[[Category:Footpaths]]
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