Trail Building Tutorials
Step-by-step guides for building and maintaining mountain bike trails, from basic features to advanced techniques.
Showing 22 tutorials
INTERMEDIATE
9 min read
Rock Garden Construction
Learn expert techniques for building durable mountain bike rock gardens. Step-by-step guide covers planning, construction, and maintenance of technical trail features.
Rock Gardens
Sustainability
Technical Features
Trail Construction
Maintenance
Drainage
Seasonal Care
Natural Features
INTERMEDIATE
FEATURED
10 min read
How to Build the Perfect Berm
Master the art and science of building flawless berms that enhance flow, maintain speed, and create an exhilarating riding experience for mountain bikers of all skill levels.
Berm Construction
Flow Trails
Corner Design
Drainage Systems
Soil Compaction
Trail Armoring
Grade Reversals
S-Turns
Rhythm Sections
INTERMEDIATE
14 min read
Tabletop Jump Construction Guide
Learn how to design and build a tabletop jump that is both fun to ride and built to last.
Tabletop Jump
Jump Construction
Trail Features
Flow Trails
Progression
Safety
INTERMEDIATE
4 min read
Sustainable Trail Design
Build trails that withstand weather, usage, and time with minimal environmental impact.
Trail Design
Sustainability
Environmental Impact
Drainage
Grade Reversals
Outsloping
Half Rule
Fall Line
Planning
Site Analysis
INTERMEDIATE
5 min read
Mastering Trail Drainage
Learn essential techniques to manage water flow, prevent erosion, and extend the lifespan of your mountain bike trails.
Drainage
Trail Maintenance
Erosion Control
Sustainability
Water Management
INTERMEDIATE
8 min read
Trail Armoring Techniques
Learn how to protect and reinforce your trails against erosion and heavy use with effective armoring techniques.
Armoring
Drainage
Sustainability
Technical
Maintenance
INTERMEDIATE
8 min read
Trail Assessment and Planning
Learn how to properly assess terrain, plan sustainable trail routes, and create comprehensive trail plans that balance rider experience with environmental considerations.
Trail Planning
Sustainability
Site Assessment
Mapping
GPS Navigation
Terrain Analysis
Environmental Impact
Trail Design
Documentation
INTERMEDIATE
5 minutes
Trail Layout and Flagging
Master the art of planning and marking trail routes for sustainable, enjoyable mountain bike experiences.
Trail Design
Planning
Flagging
Sustainability
GPS
Mapping
Contour Trails
ADVANCED
7 min read
Jump Line Design
Learn how to design and build flowing jump lines that provide progression, maintain rhythm, and create an exhilarating riding experience.
Jump Lines
Flow Trails
Jump Construction
Trail Design
Progression
Safety
Maintenance
Testing
INTERMEDIATE
7 min read
Building Wooden Features
Learn how to design and construct durable, safe wooden features that enhance your trail system and challenge riders of all skill levels.
Wooden Features
Bridges
Skinnies
Drops
Technical Features
Trail Construction
Maintenance
Safety
Sustainability
INTERMEDIATE
FEATURED
5 min read
Drop Construction Techniques
Learn how to build safe, durable, and progressive drop features that challenge riders and enhance your trail system.
Drop Features
Trail Building
Technical Features
Wooden Features
Natural Features
Progression
Safety
ADVANCED
5 min read
Advanced Grade Reversals and Switchbacks
Master the art of creating sustainable, erosion-resistant trail features that enhance flow and manage elevation changes effectively.
Steep Terrain
Erosion Control
Sustainable Trails
Water Management
Technical Features
Trail Design
Grade Reversals
Switchbacks
ADVANCED
6 min read
Advanced Wooden Features
Take your trail building skills to the next level with advanced wooden features that challenge riders and enhance your trail system.
Carpentry
Design
Structural Engineering
Tool Safety
INTERMEDIATE
8 minutes
Creating Flow in Trail Design
Master the art of designing trails that create a seamless, rhythmic experience that keeps riders coming back for more.
Trail Design
Flow
Feature Placement
Rider Psychology
Terrain Reading
ADVANCED
6 minutes
Gap Jump Construction
Learn how to build safe and progressive gap jumps that will challenge riders and enhance your trail system.
Jump Construction
Gap Jump
Technical Features
Advanced Building
ADVANCED
8 min read
Machine-Built Trail Techniques
Learn how to efficiently build sustainable mountain bike trails using machinery, from mini-excavators to dozers, with professional techniques and best practices.
Machine-Built
Excavator
Dozer
Flow Trail
Construction
Heavy Equipment
Sustainability
Drainage
Feature Building
Restoration
INTERMEDIATE
6 min read
Natural Feature Integration
Learn how to identify, preserve, and enhance natural trail features to create engaging, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly mountain bike trails.
Trail Building
Sustainability
Environmental
Rock Features
Root Systems
Natural Drops
INTERMEDIATE
14 min read
Skills Progression Features
Learn how to design and build skills progression features that help riders develop their abilities in a safe, structured environment with clear learning pathways.
Skills Park
Progression Features
Balance Features
Drop Features
Jump Features
Cornering Features
Pump Features
Rock Features
INTERMEDIATE
8 min read
Soil Types and Trail Construction
Understanding soil composition and characteristics is fundamental to building sustainable, durable mountain bike trails that withstand weather and usage over time.
Soil Science
Trail Building
Sustainability
Drainage
Construction
Maintenance
Environmental Impact
Seasonal Adaptations
Long-term Maintenance
INTERMEDIATE
5 min read
Trail Maintenance Best Practices
Learn how to keep your trails in top condition year-round with these proven maintenance techniques, seasonal schedules, and volunteer management strategies.
Trail Maintenance
Volunteer Management
Seasonal Care
Tool Maintenance
Drainage
Sustainability
Planning
Documentation
Safety
ADVANCED
FEATURED
9 min read
Trail Signage and Risk Management
Learn how to create effective trail signage systems and implement risk management strategies to keep riders safe and minimize liability concerns.
Signage
Risk Management
Legal
Safety
INTERMEDIATE
8 min read
Trail Network Design Strategies
Learn how to design trail networks that offer progression, variety, and efficient land use while minimizing user conflicts and creating memorable experiences for all trail users.
Trail Design
Network Planning
Progression
Variety
Land Use
Conflict Management
Sustainability
User Experience
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Contribute a Tutorial
Have trail building knowledge to share? Help the community by contributing your own tutorial. Whether it's a unique technique, a creative solution, or a specialized feature, your expertise can help others build better trails.