Trail Fundamentals | Full Bench Cut Trail Construction

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:03][music] >> In a trail project's life cycle, many steps come before [music] construction.

[00:00:15]From conceptual design and master planning to field layout and permitting.

[00:00:20][music] All of these steps shape what happens once construction begins.

[00:00:25]When it's time to build, how we [music] cut the tread makes a big difference.

[00:00:30]Full bench construction is one of the most effective [music] methods for building sustainable, low-maintenance trails. In this approach, the entire width of the [music] tread is cut into the hillside. Built entirely on mineral soil rather [music] than on fill.

[00:00:45]This creates a stable, durable surface that [music] encourages sheet flow, allowing water to move naturally across the trail. [music] And it's important to remember, full bench cut only works with contour alignment.

[00:00:59]>> We're trying [music] to keep water spread out along that bench cut and not concentrate it and allow [music] it to flow over to the side and spread out onto the landscape versus concentrating it into a channel and then having it channelized >> [music] >> and then increasing that flow, that velocity, and increasing that erosion.

[00:01:19]>> Building a full bench cut trail [music] may involve significant excavation work.

[00:01:24]But this upfront investment [music] pays off with a trail that requires less maintenance over time.

[00:01:30]Some common [music] mistakes include building in terrain that is too flat with no side slope where there is nowhere for water to drain off the trail, which leads to pooling and mud.

[00:01:40]Creating rake [music] and ride trails, which clears vegetation without proper tread preparation and results in unstable trails [music] that erode and widen over time. And constructing trails that are too steep, [music] which ultimately act as water channels, causing severe erosion and environmental damage.

[00:01:57]>> So, it's really important to know your trail specifications [music] beforehand.

[00:02:01]Um and you basically you cut 45° angle into the hillside >> [music] >> and then 2 to 3 generally percent out slope of your tread for the width of the specified trail. And then >> [music] >> you take all those spoils and you disperse them in one way or another. And then what is extracted gets dissipated [music] on the landscape and then you're just left with this cut um on the side of the hillside which is your your full bench construction.

[00:02:30]>> As excavation begins, trail builders remove the organic materials, [music] roots, leaves, and topsoil until they reach the stable mineral soil beneath.

[00:02:41]This step is critical [music] because organic material holds water, decomposes, and shifts over time, making the tread unstable. [music] >> In general, the most durable material to build your trail out of for a lot of use is mineral soil. [music] So, the organic is on the top, the mineral's on the bottom. And then in terms of mineral soil, there are different kinds of mineral soil, right? It's made up [music] of There's you know, different characteristics, different attributes that allow water to either drain more quickly or less [music] quickly.

[00:03:11]It will either erode more quickly or less quickly.

[00:03:13]>> During construction, [music] proper debris and soil management is essential. Excavated soil and organic material should be dispersed [music] thinly and evenly down slope of the trail, not piled or concentrated, [music] to maintain natural water flow, preserve sheet flow, and minimize environmental disturbance.

[00:03:32]A properly [music] shaped back slope allows water to maintain smooth, natural sheet flow across the trail.

[00:03:38]>> We have our back slope, which is pretty much stabilized. What we're hoping to happen is the vegetation to start revegetating. The key with the back slopes is if you don't slope them and you leave them vertical, the The comes down the hillside in sheet flow, gets to that vertical part, water dropping downhill accelerates, and all of a sudden it starts cutting under this we call head cutting. So, it's really key to lay that back slope back.

[00:04:04]>> The trail tread [music] is typically outsloped, a slight tilt of the trail away from the hillside. This gentle angle, usually between 2% and [music] 5%, is critical for allowing water to flow naturally off the trail [music] without disrupting the surrounding hydrology.

[00:04:20]An outslope of around 5% is barely noticeable to most users, >> [music] >> but it makes a big difference in keeping the tread dry and stable.

[00:04:28]New builders often exaggerate this angle, but precision matters.

[00:04:32]>> [music] >> While simple field checks, like using a McLeod handle or watching how a water bottle rolls, >> [music] >> can offer a quick reference, the most accurate way to measure outslope is with a digital level.

[00:04:45]After excavation and shaping, builders [music] compact the tread with hand tools or mechanized tools, working to make it as solid [music] as possible.

[00:04:53]This helps minimize changes in the tread due to trail use.

[00:04:57]A well-built full bench trail is designed to shed water efficiently, minimize erosion, >> [music] >> and maintain a stable, durable tread with minimal maintenance. These fundamentals form the backbone [music] of sustainable trail construction. More advanced techniques, like building turns, integrating inslope sections, or incorporating stonework build upon these same core [music] principles of drainage, stability, and flow.