Type I

• plan 1-15 km routes for day use only,
• use a gentle uniform gradient and a well compacted surface,
• consider crushed stone surfacing unless soils are suitable for high use levels,
• plan as high use trails near campgrounds and major trailheads,
• consider designing to accommodate winter use,
• provide for short exploratory rides,
• design to accommodate a steady flow of two-way horse traffic during peak periods of use.
  
  
• Intensive Recreation Zone
• Natural Environment Zone

• plan 5-30 km trails for day use or overnight trips,
• design as moderate use trunk trails or day use trails,
• use existing soil surface, except where surfacing is required to cross wet or fine textured soils areas,
• not normally designed to accommodate winter use, except as snowmobile route
  
  
• Natural Environment Zone
• Wilderness Zone

• plan 30-50km trails in low use areas, multi-day duration trips,
• low standard routes beyond trunk trails,
• not normally designed to accommodate winter use,
  
  
• Wilderness Zone

• Design the trail using criteria for day-use bridle paths or long distance routes used by pack and saddle stock.
• Design the trails for the safety of both riders and the horses.
• Use any trail layout form depending on the terrain conditions. Use additional loop or spur trails to increase the distance and provide a range of terrain conditions.
• In general, plan loop trails for day-use riding, and loop or linear trails for longdistance trails. Integrate dayuse loops long-distance linear trails where appropriate. Use loops as alternate routes around wet areas in the spring or around sensitive wildlife areas in the fall.
• Design day-use trails to range from 5 to 15 km depending on the terrain and user ability. Long-distance trails may cover several hundred Kilometres.
• Plan for campsites every 16 to 25 km along the route. Develop campsites to be consistent with the park management zone objectives.
• Provide access to drinking water at least every 15 km. Refer to Ministry of Health regulations on surface water sources.

• Plan trail routes with a desirable range of grades between 0-10%. Do not exceed a maximum sustained grade of 15%. Avoid grades steeper than 20% over a maximum distance of 30m.
• Design long climbing turns in preference to switchbacks. If switchbacks are used, design the curve radius to a minimum of 2 metres. Design grades of 10% to 15% leading to and from the curve to discourage shortcutting. Use rock or log barriers for a distance of 6 to 10 metres back from the turning point.

• Clear vegetation to a height of 3 m above the tread surface, and a minimum width of 2.5 m.
• Match the tread width to the terrain conditions and type of equestrian use.
• Use a tread width of 45 cm to I m for average trail conditions.
• If the trail passes through hazardous side slope areas, use a tread width of at least 1.2 m to 1.5 m, to be safe for horse and rider.

• Provide a fairly even surface free of rocks or roots that cannot be covered.
• Use additional surfacing materials in areas with fine textured soils or intensive use. Consider wood shreds in place of wood chips. Alternatively, use gravel or crushed stone mixed with the existing soils. On intensely used bridle paths, use crushed stone as the preferred surface material.
• On steep side slopes, place rocks or logs along the outer edge of the tread to prevent sloughing of the trail edge.

• Equestrian trail staging areas require circulation and parking for horse trailers, 'corrals, hitching posts and water supply.
• Provide a suitable size of horse corral depending on the type of staging areas and amount of use. Smaller corrals with separate stalls for small groups of animals are healthier for horses than large corrals that house many horses.
• Rely on stream fords rather than bridges for stream crossings, provided the velocity and depth of the water is acceptable during the normal use seasons. Water depths of not more than 60 cm are safest. Locate trails to cross acceptable natural fords.
• Improve the ford by constructing a minimum I m wide base from which large rocks have been removed and the stream bottom leveled to make a relatively smooth crossing.
• Design bridges to support the maximum number of loaded horses that may occupy the bridge at one time. Provide secure footing, for example with flattened logs.
• Cover culverts with a thick layer of soil or granular fill to prevent hollow sounds when horses are crossing. Cover corduroy with soil or other surfacing material to create an even tread.
  
  Design Notes
  
  
• Horses can damage trails in wet areas. Once a trail becomes muddy, further damage occurs as horses detour to the sides of the trail. Wherever possible, locate routes in stable well-drained soils. Trails on side slopes require adequate drainage facilities. If wet areas must be crossed, use bridges or fill to prevent mudholes.
  
  
• Plant distribution and succession along trails and in grazing areas is disturbed by browsing and trampling. Imported feeds encourage the establishment of non-native plant species. Educate users and employ regulations if required to discourage grazing along trails and at campsites. Provide corrals at campsites and require users to pack in feed.
  
  
• Prohibit horse access to sensitive areas. Provide tethering places at the entrance to the foot trails.
  
  
• Provide toilets and a means of waste disposal at campsites. Encourage users to packout their garbage.