How trail designers build good hikes

The design secrets that make hiking trails feel “organic”

Designing a hiking trail seems simple enough: It has to take a person from A to B, pass through scenic nature, and last through years of wear and tear. And for most of human history, trails did that without much intentional design at all.

But as trails shifted from essential transportation to a recreational destination, the way we make them did, too. Now, hidden in every trail is a carefully made design language of angles, alignment, and materials that keep them enjoyable for generations.

Watch our video to hear trail ecologist Jeffery Marion explain how these principles work — and why they’re more important now than ever.

[Vox]

And if you're still reading, thread some of your favorite trails below!

[Robin_Goodfellow]

As a former professional trailbuilder, it warms my heart to see such a large news outlet shining a light on a profession that often gets overlooked. You did a great job!

[somerandomfella]

I always thought trails were made naturally through constant use of a certain path 🤦‍♂️

[AmericanEnglishman]

As a trail planner, you guys did a FANTASTIC job giving a 5-minute overview! A few more things trail planners have to consider as they're designing trails: intended user, accessibility for all trail users, trail usage and long-term maintenance, feasibility of trail crews to get equipment to the site, flora and fauna impacts, trail surfaces, etc.

[HundredMillionViews]

Having worked on a trail crew, it gives you so much respect for the amount of WORK that goes into building steps, drainage mounds, moving boulders etc. An experienced trail crew may create 10-15ft of trail in an 8 hour day; absolutely mental!!

[Meg_A_Byte]

I would love to see the differences in trails in the US and in Europe. I feel they are very different and it might do something with the way people even perceive nature and their relationship to it.

[dancab]

Trail worker here! Love to see vox show everyone on what makes a good trail and how important a good trail keeps the impact of humans concentrated to a set area. We have to put more love to our outdoors! Respect them!

[forumfighter]

Mountain bike trails have recently gotten really good with the up hill/downhill sections to force water off the trail. This keeps trails open more often in wet climates, and also end up being fun features like rollers and jumps.

[wihatmi]

I never realised how highly designed trails are. I always thought they kind of emerge or are just created randomly with the minimal possible effort just to make hiking possible. That's fascinating.

[khalilahd.]

I love that they do such a good job that it looks natural. Definitely a cool job to have ❤

[benyoung]

As a former trail crew leader with the US forest service I really appreciate this video. With the maintenance backlog land management agencies face these kinds of pieces are helpful for driving more public support for this type of work

[zinedinezethro]

i never thought designing trails is this complicated. i appreciate these amazing trails more now.

[laurarockefeller]

Trail creation and trail maintenance are incredibly arduous tasks, and more technical than many assume. I worked on an AmeriCorps crew in backcountry Arizona and New Mexico recreating a trail that hadn't seen maintenance in 10+ years. When this happens, the trail becomes severely overgrown. Recreational hikers will either get confused or lazy. They stray off the official trail and create infinite "dogleg" trails off the sides until there's no distinguishable network anymore. This increases the danger that people will get lost. Plus, desert ecosystem and soil is INCREDIBLY fragile. The top layer of soil is ecologically crucial. When hikers spread their impact way off the trail, they are harming the environment. No matter where you are, it's important to stay on the trail! Minimize your impact while you're enjoying the nature around you.

[anthonyaddo]

Now that I am aware of this, I know I'll treasure trails even more. In addition to being able to enjoy the splendor of the natural features on the path, I will be also be able to appreciate the thought and care that went into designing the trail, and why it dips, moves, and gently guides people to beautiful sites of interest. Can I say I see trails as slow motion roller-coasters now? 😄 So cool.

[kathleengrey]

Vox is back again with things I didn't know I want to learn.

[ShadyForest]

I built a potion of the Cumberland Trail system in Tennessee in spring 2018 with a group from my university. I wish they would’ve taught us this stuff while we were there.

[anzebertoncelj]

With regards to alpine and subalpine trails in Europe, I can't really imagine them being designed. They were used for centuries by all sorts of people; traders, shephards, soldiers; etc., changing as needed.

[UrbaneOracle]

I blazed a small trail for a Ranger award in Scouts years ago. Now this video makes me I want to go back and look at maps for fall lines to make it better haha. Great stuff!

[sugarba]

As someone who designs, builds and maintains trails for a living, this video is a great distillation in just 5 minutes. Going to Dr. Marion was a good choice, too.

[tonejammin]

As a volunteer crew lead with The Colorado Trail Foundation I want to complement you for producing this spot-on video. A huge amount of work goes into planning and design before the first pick mattock is struck.