Multi-use Trail Types 

• horse-foot trails
• foot-bicycle trails
• bicycle-foot-horse trails
• ski-foot/horse trails
• snowmobile-ski trails

When considering multi-use trails think about: 

• the park management zone objectives,
• the potential additional maintenance costs of different kinds of uses,
• the safety of users,
• the potential for user conflicts if the reasons for using the trail are different,
• how multiple use would affect the "limits of acceptable change" standards.
• Reduce potential conflicts in multi-use areas by providing separate routes in critical areas. Use detour trails around fragile areas and provide separate campsites for different types of users, such as hikers and horse riders.
• Consider using trail design as a zoning tool to manage multiple use trails. For example, change the surface treatment from crushed stone to natural soil where the road bicycle zone ends.
• Avoid foot-horse or bicycle-foot trails in hazardous areas such as cliff edge routes, or very steep exposed ravines. Widen multi-use trails along any hazardous sections.
• Avoid blind curves on multi-use trails. Widen curves to allow pedestrian safe passage.
• Avoid joint hiker-horse trails near hiker water supplies, such as creek crossings or campsites. Ensure horse crossings are well downstream of hiker crossings.
• Avoid joint use ski-snowmobile trails as these two uses are generally incompatible. Where access routes are limited, use is light, and trails are wide, consider joint use where ski tracks may be set to one side.
• Avoid ski and snowmobile trail crossings if possible. Where crossings are required, ensure good sight lines, level crossings and right-angled intersections.
• Separate ski and snowmobile trails with topographic or vegetation buffers to reduce noise and diesel fume affects on skiers.
• Consider using wide graded ski trails for summer horse or bicycle use, since these types of trails are often better able to withstand use impacts.
• Use old road beds for multiple use trails.

Summary: 

• use interpretive planning principles,
• link the trail to the park interpretation plan,
• determine the interpretation objectives, themes and storylines,
• decide on the type of trail:,
• determine layout and design criteria,
• let the interpretive features and the projected users determine the trail layout and length,
• avoid use by bicycles, horses or motorized vehicles,

• plan Type I trails for high profile frequently visited interpretive features such as Liard Hotsprings, or Manning Park's Sumallo Grove,
• design and construct the trails to Type I or II Foot Trail standards with a "stand alone" custom designed interpretive sign component,
• plan trails between 100m-2km in length, and allow for walking times of 5 minutes to 1 hour. Remember that 10 minute to 30 minute trails are popular walking times for day use or points-of-interest trails,
• use guidelines for barrier free access.

• plan Type II trails to interpret unique or typical features in the park,
• design and construct these trails to Type II Foot Trail standards,
• provide pamphlets, trail guides and numbered posts to communicate the interpretive stories,
• provide a box to distribute interpretive pamphlets,
• plan trails between 1-3 km in length.

• plan Type III trails to interpret the park relative to ecosection representation, geology, wildlife, human history or other features,
• design these trails to Type II or III Foot Trail standards,
• provide a trail map that describes the park flora, fauna and human history. Reference the map and text to specific trails or areas,

• Refer to interpretive planning references when designing interpretive trails. See Interpreting the Environment, by Grant Sharpe.
• Interpretive foot trails provide an experience that enriches the user's understanding of the natural, cultural or historic features of the park. Interpretive trails allow for maximum interaction between the users and the environment.
• Interpretive trails are often self-guiding trails, that use a variety of approaches such as interpretive signs, leaflets or other methods to convey a theme and storylines; to the park visitor. Most of the information communicated to the visitor comes from the environment itself. Much of the success of this communication depends on the skill with which the trail route is planned, for example, the viewing positions and the sequence of experiences. Consider the natural or cultural features as an integral part of the interpretive trail planning.
• Determine the interpretive trail audience to help decide how the interpretive message should be presented.
• Locate interpretive trails where there is an opportunity to convey several messages as part of an overall theme. Locate trails where ecological links between different elements of the environment may be interpreted.
• Develop a theme for each interpretive trail. Themes provide a focus for the various storylines that may be presented on the trail. Use interpretive storylines for trail signs or brochures to communicate meaning and relationships of the natural or cultural features along the trail.
• Design the trail to provide a logical sequence of interpretive messages.
• Minimize conflicts with other types of land uses such as playgrounds, campgrounds, or roads.
• Consider ease, comfort and safety of use. Pay special attention to special needs users and wheelchair access. Consider trails adapted for blind users where the focus is on interpreting feels, smells and sounds.

• Plan the trail layout and length to communicate the interpretive message in the most effective way.
• Avoid fragile plant communities, critical wildlife habitat or other sensitive features that the trail may disturb or destroy. Where sensitive features are the reason for the interpretive trail, take design, construction and maintenance precautions to minimize adverse effects on the feature.
• Adapt interpretive trails to the foot trail standards. In most cases, use Type I or II criteria in designing and building interpretive trails.
• Use a loop trail layout, with spurs and satellite loops to provide additional variety. Design the trail with many curves and natural stopping or viewing points to slow users down, and allow them an opportunity to understand interpretive stories.
• Assess the physical ability and interest level of the intended users.
• Design short campground or day use interpretive trails to provide a 20 minute to 1/2 hour walk. Most interpretive trails are about 1 kilometre in length.

• Avoid trail grades greater than 5% unless wheel-chair access is not planned. The most desirable grades are less than 5%. Avoid sustained grades more than 10%, with a maximum grade for short pitches of no more than 15% for a 30 metre maximum.

• Design a tread surface and width suitable for the terrain and type of use. Provide a 45 cm to 60 cm tread for single file trails, and 90 cm to 180 cm for walking side by side. Widen trails at sign locations or provide a separate viewing area.
• Consider bark chip or rounded gravel as a trail surface to discourage bicycle use, but remember that these materials also discourage wheel-chair access. Wood chips and wood shreds have little impact on the natural environment, are quiet to walk on, and have a natural appearance.
• Use tread guidelines for other types of foot trails.

• Develop interpretive structures, such as viewing blinds or towers, to improve viewing opportunities. Use natural appearing materials. Avoid potentially toxic finishing materials.
• Design bridges and boardwalks to allow users to stop and view interpretation features.
• Use rounded or angled railings designed for leaning on.
• Provide low angle illustrative signs that do not obstruct the view and are easily read while observing the interpretive feature. (See manual section on signs).

Summary: 

• determine special layout and design requirements,
• use national standards where appropriate,

• Develop barrier-free trails to accommodate users who may be aged, blind or visually impaired, deaf, confined to a wheelchair, require crutches or a cane, or who have respiratory ailments.
• Adapt Type I, II and III foot trail standards for use where barrier free trails are desired. Plan the barrierfree trail to the foot trail standards, but modify the length, grades, structures and tread surface as required.

• Design barrier-free trails to the highest design standards for ease of use, comfort and safety.
• Locate trails close to other park facilities.
• Use a loop trail layout, providing a 20 minute to 1 hour experience.

• Maintain grades at 0-3% and do not exceed a maximum sustained grade of 5%. Avoid grades greater than 8% over a maximum distance of 4 metres where the trail is designed for wheel-chairs. Avoid trail grades greater than 5% unless wheel-chair access is not planned. Provide steps on non-wheelchair trails when grades exceed 10%.
• Provide level resting areas approximately 2 metres long at the end of each length of slope. Provide level areas at all turning points on slopes.
• Slopes exceeding 5 percent are considered ramps and on some interpretive trails should have handrails. These are as much for people using crutches or canes, and for people who are unsteady on their feet, as they are for people in wheelchairs.
• Provide two handrails, the topmost for persons walking (90 cm from the ground), the lower for persons in wheelchairs and for children (75 cm from the ground). Extend rails 45 cm beyond the top and bottom of slopes. Make rails strong enough to support the weight of two or three persons.
• Handrails help persons in wheelchairs when coming down slopes because they can be used to reduce speed. Maximum grade can be increased to 15 percent if two handrails are provided 85 cm apart and 75 cm high. Ile surface of handrails should be smooth so persons do not scrape their knuckles if they run up against them, e.g. no projecting bolts. Use wheelstops (or low curbs) along the edges of the tread on slopes.

• Plan for a 2-metre minimum trail width. For wheelchair use on moderately used trails, make the trails 1.2 in wide for one-way traffic and 2 m wide for two-way traffic. For minor foot trails, use widths from 60 to 150 cm.
• Use surfaces suitable for wheel-chair use, such as asphalt, chip-seal asphalt, crushed stone sealed with stone dust or asphalt emulsion, compacted cinders, some types of crushed shale, decomposed granite, or boardwalk.

• Ensure bridges, boardwalks and steps are wide enough for easy passing and have secure footing under wet conditions. Use non-skid materials, with the boards laid parallel to the direction of the trail. Parallel decking has fewer cracks and edges and is easier for users with canes or crutches to negotiate.
• Provide handrails on steep or long steps. Extend the rails 60 cm past the top and bottom of steps. If these extensions are horizontal, they will alert blind users to the start and end of steps.
• Specify a smooth transition from trail surfaces to bridge decking. Where handrails are not used, install edge railings that extend beyond the ends of the bridge. Consult an engineer when constructing bridges and walkways for special needs trails.
• Use handrails on slopes exceeding 5%. Such slopes are considered ramps and should have handrails. Use two handrails, the upper for walking persons and the lower for wheelchair users and children. Extend rails 45 cm beyond the top and bottom of the slopes.
• Arrange handrails so that they may be used from the right or the left, since users may be incapacitated on either their left or right side. Handrails on either side or a double handrail in the center of a ramp will be sufficient where volume of use is not high. In heavy use areas, provide a double set of handrails so that separate rails may be used for climbing and descending. Ensure the surface of the handrails is smooth with no projecting bolts.
• Place benches for resting at 45 to 60 m intervals. Provide back rests and high arm rests assist users to sit and rise more easily.

• Compare high standard portage trails to Type 11 foot trails, and backcountry portage trails to Type III or IV foot trails.
• Design portage trails for ease in carrying or hauling canoes or other craft. Use construction guidelines similar to foot trails.
• Select a portage site with a safe and smooth landing, preferably with sandy or rounded gravel shoreline material. On rivers, select a site off an eddy with no upstream or downstream boulders, log jams or other obstructions.
• Clear a level landing area, large enough to hold two canoes and equipment.
• Clear a trail 1.5 m wide for portaging canoes, wider if small motorboats or rafts will be used on the route.
• Design the portage grade consistent with the type of use. On heavily used portages, canoes may be dragged over the route on wheels. Provide grades less than 8%-10% maximum in these routes. On remote wilderness portages, canoes will likely be carried by one or two people. Provide grades as level as possible and not exceeding 15-20% over short distances.
• Avoid sharp corners that would prevent easy walking and turning with a 5.5 m (18ft) canoe.
• Specify cutting all stumps flush with the ground and protruding branches flush with tree trunks.
• Provide resting posts, where a canoe can be braced at an angle by single portagers. Alternatively, clear a large branch about 2.5m off the ground to allow for resting the bow of the canoe.