Photo: Sterling Lorence

Defining the Challenge: Three Ways to Create a Challenging Trail

#1: Existing Natural Features

The easiest way to build a technically challenging trail is to incorporate existing natural features. Route the trail over rock slabs, ledges, rock gardens and fallen trees. Employing these naturally occurring features as control points during trail design and layout will highlight the landscape and minimize social trails.

#2: Enhanced Natural Features

The next approach is to increase the technical challenge by manipulating natural materials to create technical trail features. Use rocks and logs to create drop-offs, rock gardens, boulder rides, log pyramids and log rides. Building enhanced natural features is a good way to add technical challenge to trails where existing challenging terrain is limited.

#3: Man-made Structures

Another way to increase challenge on a trail is to add man-made structures. Ladder bridges, wooden ramps and teeter-totters are prime examples. These structures often require artificial materials such as processed lumber and fasteners.