How Hiking Trails are made and why they’re important
You may not have put much thought into how hiking trails are made. In fact, some may even assume they’re natural, forged out of the masses trodding on the same beaten steps. In truth, they’re extremely fragile ecosystems that require careful considerations around the environment.
Ancient paths and lessons from the Camino
The Camino de Santiago is an interesting place to start because it’s such an ancient network of trails. These are the closest we can come to natural paths, but even then, there would have been intentional considerations. Camino Frances is almost 800 kilometers and was first used in the 11th and 12th century. Even back then, it wasn’t simply walking randomly on the earth – there were paths, roads, Roman gravel maintenance, and so on. These were typically shaped by the path of least resistance (e.g., weaving in valleys, avoiding large climbs and lakes). The waymaking and signage came later, sure, but it’s not all that different in some segments. We may take it for granted, unless you’ve tried walking completely off-grid – soon, you realise the value of the likes of Orbis Ways, who keep you on tried and tested paths.
Modern trail development
Contemporary trail development has come a long way. Looking at Ireland as an example, with many modern trails across rolling hills, there is a multi-agency process. Organizations like the National Trails Office and state forestry company Coillte will do some collaboration on planning and funding, with a big hurdle being land access (often solved through the Walks Scheme).
This program contracts private landowners for trail maintenance on their property, creating a sustainable and community-integrated network that is somewhat decentralised. The model acknowledges that modern recreational infrastructure doesn’t always pay for itself, but is nonetheless important (or it may, but indirectly). Projects such as the Royal Canal Greenway or the bogland trails in the Midlands also show engineered outdoor amenities designed to deliver specific experiences, be it historical, ecological or recreational.
The science of trail building
The trails themselves are deceivingly tricky to plan. Sustainable trail construction focuses on both longevity and minimal ecological impact. The main issue is water erosion and to combat this, trails are rarely flat. Even on seemingly flat topography, they may have a sideways tilt. They are typically “outsloped” at a 3-5% grade to encourage water to sheet across the path rather than flow down its length, so it doesn’t act as an artificial stream that accumulates.
In constantly wet or boggy areas, a “turnpike” is constructed. This is a raised trail bed built with a base of durable rock and a gravel surface, with ditches either side. For hillside construction, the most durable method is the “full bench cut,” where the trail is excavated entirely from the hillside, rather than being built up on a less stable platform of fill material. Almost all of these techniques can be visible in the likes of Croatia, who have extremely popular national parks and walking trails from Dubrovnik.
Trail creation can sometimes be through centuries of footfall, but even then, don’t underestimate how old these practices date back and the ancient understanding of manipulating the earth. By creating sustainable places to safely walk, not only is the ecology preserved, but it also attracts more people and economic benefits, all while keeping down their impact.
