Traildesigner – On making paths and trails – Hiking.org

Creating and building hiking trails research, knowledge and resources

How to design and build hiking trails research

Text and drawings by Frits Ahlefeldt. Founder of Hiking.org

Hiking trails and paths can be designed in many ways and needs to be adapted to the place, the culture and the amount of use on it. Still many have important knowledge and experience about how best to design trails and paths out in the landscapes. Here are some of my research and know-how from sources around the world about how best to plan, design, build and maintain trails and paths

Teaching kids outdoors

Types: environment, philosophy, placemaking, thrive

Teaching kids outdoors helps them understand, move and be more happy. Connecting to nature, instead of screens.

Sea turtle concept shelter

Types: design, placemaking

Concept: a observation post and sleeping shelter along the coast for hikers working with monitoring biodiversity and sea turtles

The water bar concept sketch

Types: climate, design, philosophy, placemaking

Keeping water off trails is important to keep them healthy and walkable. Water bars are one of the designs

Gadbury bridge design

Types: design, placemaking

Research: One of the classic ways of building hiking trail bridges is the Gadbury bridge, made of local wood

The bridge as place

Types: design, philosophy, placemaking

In our understandings of landscapes bridges often stands out as something special

Wood bridge feel

Types: design, philosophy, placemaking

Bridges can be made in many ways, from the most flimsy to the solid almost ever lasting bridge designs

Using design to support hiking experiences

Types: design, placemaking

When a hiking trail cross a stream the passage can be designed in several ways. All having a huge influence on both the hiking experience and on the place

Psychology and ways of crossing a stream

Types: design, philosophy, placemaking, storytelling, thrive

Hiking can teach us new things about our strategies, roles and preferences.

Stairways design study

Types: design, placemaking

When trails starts to rise or fall, at a certain angle stairs are one way of making the trails continue when the terrain gets steeper

Timber used to make steps sketch

Types: design, placemaking

Research sketch – understanding a simple way to use tree trunks to make steps along trails

Turnpike design research drawing

Types: design, placemaking

When a hiking trail cross a stream the passage can be designed in several ways. All having a huge influence on both the hiking experience and on the place

The corduroy timber path concept

Types: design, placemaking

Simple timber structure over wet area. ( corduroy) Not recommended any more

When biodiversity and trails face each other

Types: design, environment, philosophy, placemaking

Hikers like to be close to wildlife and walking through landscapes where nature is set free. But it can be a challenge to balance the needs of nature, of habitats and of hikers.