Finding Your Perfect Path: Different Types of Trails for Every User

There’s a cool breeze, but you can feel the warmth of the sun poking through the trees. As you look down, you notice a pathway forging its way through the forest – somehow, it remains the same width throughout and seems to have been carefully placed.

That trail didn’t just get there overnight. It was indeed intentionally crafted, with months of planning and construction taking place before it could even be used. What about other trails, meant for biking, hiking, or even horses? How did they get there, and what makes them different from one another? Good news, we’re about to answer those questions and more.

Let’s start with the basics. What are trails made of?

Trail Materials

Many trails have different sections made of various materials to accommodate numerous needs. The most common options are natural surfaced trails, aggregate surfaced trails, and ADA-accessible trails. It’s like different trails, within a trail. A trail-ception if you will.

Natural Surface Trails:

Natural surface trails are all about connecting with the environment. These trails are made with no imported materials and instead they use the existing landscape and materials without adding much external structure. You’ll find compacted dirt, roots, rocks, and other organic elements thoughtfully pieced together.

This type of trail is commonly found in forests, mountains, and parks, offering a raw and rugged feel. Natural surface trails are great for those who like a more rustic experience, but, be prepared for possible uneven terrain and the occasional mud puddles! Think of these trails as nature’s obstacle course.

Aggregate Surface Trails:

Aggregate surface trails add a touch of stability to your Colorado outdoor adventure. These trails are made by spreading a compacted layer of crushed stone, gravel, and other aggregate materials over the natural base surfaces. This makes trails more durable and weather-resistant compared to natural surface trails.

Aggregate trails are commonly used in parks and recreation areas where a more stable path is needed. Aggregate surface trails offer a good balance between natural aesthetics, form and functionality, while providing a smoother experience for hikers, bikers and even horseback riders. It is because of their stability these are usually the standard for ADA-accessible trails in El Paso County.

There has been more talk at recent trail-building conferences about ADA-accessible trails. These trails are made to be accessible to anyone who has disabilities in any way. Companies like Timberline TrailCraft are committed to helping make the outdoors accessible and enjoyable to anyone and everyone.

What Are The Different Types Of Trails?

Ready to lace up those hiking boots, grab your water bottle, and hit one of the many gorgeous trails through the Colorado Rocky Mountains? Exploring nature can be a rejuvenating experience, and there’s no shortage of trails to choose from. From peaceful woodland walks to adrenaline-pumping mountain treks, there’s a trail for every adventurer.

Walking

Walking trails are the most basic type of trail and are usually the narrowest in terms of the actual width of the pathway. Natural surfaced walking trails are the most common, although any material can be used to make the trail. These trails usually have the lowest upkeep required due to their simple nature.

Walking trails generally have less elevation change, making them more accessible to a wider range of users. Typically, shorter than hiking trails, walking trails are perfect for family outings, bird watching, or a leisurely stroll. You may even come across interpretive signs that share interesting tidbits about wildlife and the local flora. It’s like taking a nature class but with much better views!

Hiking

Hiking trails are the heart and soul of outdoor exploration. These trails can vary in difficulty, from easy-going to steep mountain climbs. Hiking trails usually feature steeper grades that may need staircases to make the trail sustainable. Crews use rock steps and retaining walls to guide hikers up and down on their outdoor adventure. More design time is needed to ensure these trails remain safe, but also to add variety to the experience.

An example of this would be our very own Colorado gem, the world-famous Manitou Incline trail (revitalized by yours truly)! Don’t forget to bring a camera – nothing beats the view from the top of this 2,011 feet climb to overlook the city below.

Backpacking Trails

Backpacking trails are like hiking trails but with a longer-term commitment. These trails are designed for multi-day trips, often leading to remote locations. The trail materials are generally more rugged, with rocks, boulders, and roots making frequent appearances.

Backpackers carry all their gear, so trail maintenance is crucial to ensure safety and accessibility, look for campsites or shelters along the way – nothing beats a good campfire after a day of hiking.

Biking

Biking trails can incorporate natural or aggregate materials and employ a varied topography, including rolling grades, dips, and hills, to provide bikers with an exhilarating experience, perhaps even catching some air along the way. Optimal designs for such trails aim to maximize downhill enjoyment while minimizing the struggle of uphill climbs. The inclines involved may render the trail unsuitable for pedestrian traffic, as they cater specifically to bikers’ needs. Additionally, bike trails are often designed to be one-way to enhance safety and alleviate congestion.

Example:

Trail:

Almond Butter

Location:

Ute Valley Park

Length:

.4 Miles

Difficulty:

Difficult

Almond Butter is a quick, downhill only singletrack located in Ute Valley Park designed especially for bikes. This trail has an average grade of 5% and a max grade of 13%. Be wary of sharp turns on this trail.

E-Bike

E-Bikes are a growing trend, and they’re changing the way people experience trails. These power assisted bicycles can handle longer distances and steeper terrain, making them perfect for those who might want to enjoy the outdoors and go a bit farther without breaking too much of a sweat.

E-bike trails are typically shared with other users, such as mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners. But, due to trail stability, safety, trail etiquette and even environmental concerns, e-bikes are not always allowed. So be sure to check what activities are allowed before hitting the trails.

For Colorado E-bikers, here are the rules you’ll want to keep in mind:

Equestrian

What a fancy word for horses, right?! Equestrian trails cater to horseback riders, providing a unique way to explore the outdoors. These trails need to be wide enough to accommodate horses with the ability for them to pass one another along the trail. That said, these are usually 4-5′ wide.

These trails are often comprised of compacted soil, gravel or sand and are typically lower grades to lessen the impact on the horses’ hooves. It’s not all about the trail surface; equestrian trails will likely include features like hitching post, water troughs, and even dedicated riding areas for training. Neigh we say more?

All-Terrain and Off-Highway Vehicles

For our full throttle enthusiasts craving more horsepower than, well, an actual horse for your outdoor adventures, ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) and OHV (Off- Highway Vehicle) trails are where the action is. These are the widest of all the trails and are usually 6′-10′ wide. They’re built specifically to withstand the power and weight of off-road vehicles.

ATV and OHV trails often have wide turns, banked corners, and varying terrain to keep the heart pumping! Safety is key, so always wear the right gear and follow trail rules – no one wants to end up on an unintentional off-road obstacle course!

Multi-Use

Multi-use trails are the melting pots of the trail world. Designed to accommodate a variety of users including hikers, bikers, and even equestrian riders, these trails require durable materials to withstand a range of activities. Depending on the location you might find a mixture of gravel, compacted soil, or even paved sections.

The key to multi-use trails is cooperation and courtesy – remember, everyone’s there to enjoy the great outdoors, so be sure to share the trail and respect other’s spaces. Learn more about trail etiquette:

Trails - Where The Journey Is Just As Beautiful As The Destination

Now that you’re well versed on the different types of trails out there, the remaining question is. “Which one do I explore next?”

Check out the many trails designed, reclaimed, and maintained by Timberline Trailcraft. From local parks, national preserves, to bike trails as far away as New South Wales, we’ve got the trail for you. Take a minute to explore our meticulously designed trails and discover why our craftmanship is second to none. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a casual stroller, a thrill-seeking biker or a horseback explorer, there’s a trail out there with your name on it! So, grab your gear, invite some friends, and get ready to make some trail-tastic memories.