3.2 Select a Route for the User Consider the aesthetic appeal of the trail. Create a variety of views including fun vistas, partial openings and closed forest canopies. Use natural openings such as meadows or marsh edges for interest and rest areas. Enhance visual interest by providing brief views of a feature, such as a waterfall, before the user is next to it or passes by. Align the trail near recreation and interpretive features or wildlife viewing opportunities. Minimize conflicts between users. Avoid designing a route that exceeds the planned trail difficulty. Consider maximum gradients, alignment, tread conditions, overall elevation gain and loss. Design a route that provides enough variety to give an overall appreciation of the landscape character of the route. Design the trail to take advantage of topographic and biological variety, for example along ridgetops and valley bottoms. Enhance the trail alignment with curved sections that fit into existing landforms such as along ridge crests or terrace edges. Consider highlighting an interpretive theme for the trail.