Trail Assessment

People select hiking trails based on their interests, abilities and skills. Some trails have guidebooks or other types of literature, such as brochures, providing information on local flora and fauna, general direction and general length. Though helpful, this information is not usually adequate for users to make decisions on whether or not a trail is appropriate for their needs.

The trail assessment process was designed to provide objective information to help users determine the appropriateness of a trail. This process includes precise measurements of the trail, including exact distance, grade, width, obstructions, and cross-slope. Other information provided includes rest points, water fountains, water crossings, restrooms, and other hazards or points of interest.

Signage can then be produced to inform users of the various aspects of the trail. The result is that the individuals are able to decide which areas are most appropriate for their needs.

Basics of Trail Assessment

Following are some terms that are helpful in completing a trail assessment:

• Trail Distance : exact measurement of the trail, in feet.
• Average Grade: the amount of increase or decrease in terms of percentage of the whole trail.
• Maximum Grade: the maximum grade in percent that is reached for any 10-foot section on the trail.
• Average Cross-Slope: the average degree to which the trail slopes from one edge of the trail to the other edge.
• Maximum Cross-Slope: the maximum degree to which a 2-foot section slopes from one edge of the trail to the other.
• Tread Width: the usable portion of the trail bed. This is measured in inches over the total trail.
• Trail Bed Zone: covers the area that most people would identify as part of the trail. This includes roots, ruts and rocks.
• Overhead Obstructions: are obstructions in the trail bed zone that are 80 inches or more above the zone (Beneficial Design, 1999).
• Minimum Clearance Width: the minimum amount of usable trail space around an obstruction, such as a rock, root or rut.

Characteristics of Hiking Trail Assessment

Characteristics of Trail Assessment

1. Grade
2. Cross slope
3. Surface type
4. Obstacles
5. Trail width

Hiking Trail Surface Characteristics

Surface characteristics are important because they identify the type of surface that makes up the trail. These are classified into five categories:

• Paved - firm, stable, slip-resistant, concrete, asphalt, and brick.
• Hard - firm, stable, not necessarily slip-resistant; examples include hardened soil and soil with stabilizers.
• Firm - when walked on with a shoe, no footprint is left but the surface is not stable. Examples include gravel mix and packed dirt.
• Soft - when walked on, a footprint of no more than 1/2-inch is left. Examples include soft dirt, wood chips and loose gravel.
• Very Soft - when walked on a footprint of 1/2-inch or more. Examples include mud, sand and loose pea gravel.

Through the Universal Trail Assessment Process (Beneficial Designs Link), people can learn about a trail's characteristics before hiking. This information allows users to determine which trails are accessible to them based on their knowledge of their own capabilities.

Note

The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
ncpad@uic.edu
(800) 900-8086 (voice and TTY)
(312) 355-4058 (facsimile)

Organizations

1. American Trails :
   Redding , California
2. National Park Service :
   Washington , District of Columbia
3. Western Trailbuilders Association :
   Bellingham , Washington

Suppliers

1. Beneficial Designs :
   Minden , Nevada

This fact sheet was last updated on 02-05-2007.

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