Sustainable Trail Building Techniques for Mountain Bike Trails

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Sustainable Trail Building Techniques for
Mountain Bike Trails
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The Half Rule

• Ensure the grade of the trail doesnt exceed half
  the side slope. Otherwise water will flow down
  the trail and not across it resulting in
  erosion.Water is the enemy of all trails

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The 10 Grade Average

• An average grade for the trail of below 10 is
  the most sustainable.This may not be achievable
  throughout the trail but it is important to use
  this as the baseline for construction

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Grade Reversal

• Periodic Grade reversals ensure that water is not
  trapped on the trail and flows slowly of the edge
  and not down the fall-line

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Outslope

• An outsloped trails ensures that the water drains
  gently in a non erosive manner via sheet flow

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Knicks

• Like grade reversals and
• de-berming trails these allow water to escape
  slowly from the side of the trail. These can add
  in a trail feature for riders

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Rolling Grade Dips

• These are larger features than Knicks and provide
  consistent drainage on up slopes and climbs

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Climbing Turns

• These allow controlled climbs on steep slopes
  without the erosion associated with a direct climb

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Rolling Crown Switch Back

• This requires a more advanced approach by using
  retaining walls but allows sustainable
  construction in upland situations where high
  rainfall is present

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Insloped Turns

• These are excellent for descents where you want
  retain flow and fun without causing braking.
  Grade reversals and a semi-banked turns help to
  reduce erosion via sheet flow.