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Flying WV
West Virginia University Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor EconomicDevelopment Collaborative
Office of the Provost

Trail Training: Learn What It Takes to Make Trails Happen

Building great trails takes more than a shovel.

Our Trail Training and Education program is designed for anyone ready to learn how trails are planned, built, and maintained. From first-time volunteers to experienced crew leaders, these workshops offer practical skills you can take back to your community.
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What You'll Learn

These workshops cover the full lifecycle of trail development, from early planning to long-term maintenance. Each session is hands-on, practical, and rooted in real-world application.

Why Attend

Strong trail systems don’t happen by accident.

They’re built and maintained by people who know the land and take the time to do things right. People who understand that a good trail holds up, season after season, because someone put in the work to make it that way. That’s what these trainings are about.

You’ll learn by doing, alongside people who know the craft, and leave with skills you can take back to your community. The kind of knowledge that sticks and shows up the next time there’s work to be done.

Classes We Offer

Click any of the classes below to see more about what you'll learn.

Start with the fundamentals.

Learn how to design and build sustainable trails, including trail types, planning, sustainable design, erosion control, maintenance, safety, and hands-on building.

This single day training is ideal for professionals, volunteers, and beginners.

Cost: $65† per participant

Keep trails working the way they should.

Learn how to evaluate trail conditions, identify common issues, and apply maintenance techniques that improve safety and longevity.

Plan for access on the water.

Explore how to design and improve water trail systems, including access points, user experience, and long-term sustainability.

Turn ideas into community-supported projects.

This workshop focuses on planning, partnerships, and strategy, helping communities move from early concepts to actionable trail projects.

Build trails that last.

Learn how to use rock to stabilize trails, prevent erosion, and manage high-use areas.

  • Full day: $65 per participant†
  • Half day: $40 per participant person†

Work smarter and safer.

Get an introduction to rigging systems used in trail work, including equipment, safety practices, and practical applications in the field.

Know what to do when something goes wrong outdoors.

This hands-on course teaches the fundamentals of responding to injuries and medical situations in remote settings. Through scenario-based learning, you’ll build the skills and confidence to assess situations, make decisions, and provide care when help isn’t close. Certification is provided upon completion.

Cost: $160. This course cannot receive the Montani Semper Liberi discount.

A volunteer workday to build skills and move projects forward.

These hands-on events support community trail projects by pairing local volunteers with experienced trail stewards. Participants learn basic techniques while contributing to real trail work that benefits the community.

Cost: $0

†Montani Semper Liberi. West Virginia residents will receive a 100% discount at checkout.

Upcoming Trail Training Events

FAQs

  1. What should I wear?
  2. What should I bring?
  3. Are trail building tools provided?
  4. Do I need to bring personal protective equipment (PPE), like safety glasses or gloves?
  5. Are minors allowed to attend?
  6. Do I need trail building experience?
  7. Will we be outside?
  8. How will this workshop make me a better person?
  9. Should I bring a machete or a chainsaw?

  1. What should I wear?

    For hands-on trail building workshops, wear durable work clothes, including long pants and boots. A long sleeve shirt is also recommended.

    Please do not wear shorts or sneakers.

  2. What should I bring?

    For hands-on trail building workshops:

    • Bring note-taking materials (optional), a backpack, at least 2 liters of water (more is better), snacks, sunscreen, and bug repellent if you choose.
    • Trail work can get dirty, so it’s a good idea to bring a clean change of clothes for the ride home.

  3. Are trail building tools provided?

    Yes. All tools and equipment are provided by the WV Trail Training & Education Resource Center.

  4. Do I need to bring personal protective equipment (PPE), like safety glasses or gloves?

    Nope. All PPE is provided.

    You’re welcome to bring your own, but it will be inspected by OEDC staff to ensure it meets safety standards.

  5. Are minors allowed to attend?

    Yes, with an asterisk*. If someone in your household is a future trail steward, they’re welcome to attend.

    *Minors must be accompanied by a guardian and have a completed paper waiver signed by a legal guardian.

  6. Do I need trail building experience?

    Unless one of our classes is explicitly listed as “Advanced,” the only thing you need is a love for the trails.

  7. Will we be outside?

    For all of our hands on trail building classes:

    Yes. We will be outdoors for part or all of the workshop you attend, unless we’re experiencing severe weather.

    Here’s what you can expect based on conditions:

    • Cold or chilly: outside
    • Light rain: outside
    • Hot and humid: outside
    • Thunderstorm: nope! Thunder means lighning, and we will not tolerate lightning risk.
    • Heavy and sustained rain: nope! This makes mud, and mud is not a good trail building material.

  8. How will this workshop make me a better person?

    We cannot guarantee a life-changing experience, but you will leave having done positive work on your community trails, which good people do.

  9. Should I bring a machete or a chainsaw?

    Absolutely not. Machetes are largely ineffective in Appalachia and all chainsaw work will be completed by trained professionals prior to the workshop.

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