Trail Building: Trailbuilding 101 – Important Bits About Trail Design
You have already done all the ground work to build trail...You’ve met with land owners, land mangers, other trail users and gotten approval to build the trail. You have also flagged the dimensions of the trail corridor and ceiling, had that approved, and now you’re ready to stake the exact location of the trail tread.
Outline the proposed tread by putting pin flags on the outside (downhill) edge of the tread. The downhill edge is preferable because flags can remain during excavation to help the construction crew envision flow and depth of the trail.
Walk (or run if you can) the entire flag line in both directions, making adjustments to improve flow. Avoid long straight lines. Use natural obstacles to accentuate curves and grade reversals. Be creative to produce an exciting pathway. A well flagged tread resembles a serpentine line with rounded arcs, and optimal flow comes from consistency in the radius of the turns.
Flow: Good flow is particularly prized by cyclists. Mountain bikers love the rhythm of a trail where one turn blends into the next, and every descent leads to another rise. A trail with good flow helps minimize erosion and safety concerns.
When you think about flow, the genius of the stacked loop trail network becomes clear. In a single area, you can create a series of trails with different kinds of flow, that will appeal to a wide range of visitors. Note: Also remember that you won't be the only user on the trail you are constructing, and be sure to consider lower and higher skilled riders in your design.
Excerpt taken from IMBA's Trail Solutions, Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack, pages 99, 102
http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/trail_solutions.html
