A magazine dedicated to mountain bike trails and those who build, maintain, and advocate for them. #trailbuilding
Portland, Oregon
- Tweets 1,034
- Following 149
- Followers 277
- Likes 9,177
Every time we interview a rogue trail builder, our inbox blows up.
The message from builders, advocates & land managers? Keep writing about this.
Why? Because unsanctioned trails aren’t simply a black-&-white issue. There’s plenty of gray worth exploring.
Rogue builder? DM us.
1
30
What happens when a rogue trail builder tries to work within the system?
An unsanctioned trail is tolerated by the city, and one volunteer maintaining it is also working to make it legal.
Why can getting a trail approved be harder than building it? bit.ly/3WReyrH
22
Should more rogue trails become sanctioned trails?
It’s definitely one of those questions that can generate some strong opinions within the mountain biking and trail building communities.
1
31
Your trail signage might be the first impression someone has of your trail system.
Trail orgs spend countless hours planning, designing, and building trails. But how much thought goes into the signs that introduce riders to those trails?
What makes great trail signage?
1
38
Can a trail map get you stoked to ride before your tires touch the dirt?
For Edward Dennis, art and cycling go hand in hand.
In “The Art of the Trail,” Edward shares how he turns trail designs into illustrated maps that bring bike parks to life. bit.ly/4zFIBko
21
Where does trail building end and art begin? Is trail building itself an art form?
Some trail builders approach their work as a craft. Others see it as artistic expression.
Is trail building an art form? And if so, what separates a functional trail from a work of art?
1
69
Does trail art have a place in the woods?
Trailhead signage serves an obvious purpose: helping people navigate, understand trail difficulty, and stay informed.
But what about the artistic side of trail building?
31
What if the best trail you ever built lasted only 10 seconds?
When you think about it, sometimes the most rewarding builds aren’t always full-length trails.
In our latest article, two builders rethink what’s possible in their own backyards. bit.ly/3VIJGcE
23
Can a great trail builder build great trails anywhere?
How much of trail building is universal knowledge, and how much depends on understanding the local landscape?
25
How far have you traveled to build trails?
Some trail builders spend their weekends digging close to home. Others pack their tools, load up their vehicles, and travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to work on trails.
2
25
What actually makes a town a “trail town?”
Having great trails nearby is certainly part of it. But the more I’ve thought about this question, the more I’ve realized that the trail itself is only the beginning. bit.ly/3Ue8wk3
18
It’s always interesting to talk with rural communities that want trails.
Where do you even start?
What advice would you give a community at the start of building trails, hoping to become a trail town?
1
30
SWITCHBACK: Women Building Trails is an upcoming anthology from Mountaineers Books featuring the experiences of women who have spent at least three seasons working on trails.
Submissions are due October 9, 2026. Send submissions to switchbackanthology[at]gmail[dot]com.
19
What actually makes a town a “trail town?”
Great trails are part of it. But it’s also about the relationship between trails and the community: businesses, residents, trail orgs, land managers, tourism groups, and local government.
What makes a great trail town in your eyes?
1
2
36
What are you looking for in knee pads?
Protection? Comfort? Flexibility? Something that stays put?
For trail builders, there’s another test: how well do they work when you’re kneeling in the dirt?
We’ve tested Avision and Cased. What matters most to you?
25
Trail building brings people together. Trail Builder Mag exists to keep that connection going.
Subscribers get every issue, members-only articles, and partner discounts while helping us tell the stories of builders around the world.
Learn more: bit.ly/44fVkOt
1
17
Knee pads have one job when you’re riding. For trail builders, they might have two.
Cased sent us a couple of pairs of its knee pads to test, and our early impressions are promising: comfortable, flexible, easy to put on, and they stay put. bit.ly/4xXBDWG
27
Forget the tools. What gear always comes with you on a dig day?
We talk plenty about McLeods, Pulaskis, saws, and other tools of the trade. But what about everything else?
What piece of non-tool gear has earned a permanent spot in your trail-building kit?
29
We spend a lot of time talking about our favorite trails.
But how much do we know about the people who made them possible?
Every trail has a story. And usually, there are a lot of people behind it.
Share this and tag someone who helped build yours.
1
35
Subscribing to Trail Builder Mag as a print/digital magazine has its perks!
Membership gives you access to exclusive subscriber content, plus special discounts from trusted industry partners... like Treeline Coffee Roasters.
Learn more: bit.ly/44fVkOt
1
23