Editing Trail (section)

== System layout ==

=== Linear ===
A linear trail goes from one point to another without connecting trails.<ref name="Connections-2008">{{Cite journal |date=October 2008 |title=Designing an 'Experience' into a Trail |url=http://www.landandwaterpartnership.org/documents/Designing_Experience_Into_a_Trail.pdf |journal=Connections |publisher=Massachusetts Greenways and Trails Program |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105134011/http://www.landandwaterpartnership.org/documents/Designing_Experience_Into_a_Trail.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> These trails are also known as "out-and-back" or "destination" trails. Rail trails and long-distance trails are examples of linear trails. Linear trails usually follow long distances. A shorter linear trail is a spur trail, which takes a user to a particular point-of-interest, such as a waterfall or mountain summit.<ref name="Connections-2008" />

=== Looped ===
A looped trail allows a user to end up where they started with either minimal or no repeating parts of the trail.<ref name="Connections-2008" /> Looped-trail systems come in many permutations. A single-looped trail system is often used around lakes, wetlands, and other geological features.<ref name="PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)-2013">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20028130.pdf |title=Pennsylvania Trail Design & Development Principles: Guidelines for Sustainable, Non-motorized Trails |date=May 2013 |publisher=PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606023056/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20028130.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> A series of looped trails is a stacked-loop trail system. A stacked loop trail system has several interconnected looped trails. This creates an efficient, compact design with many route options. In a multiple-loop system, each loop extends from a single trailhead.

Trail systems often combine linear trails with looped trails. In a spoked-wheel system, linear trails connect a central trailhead with an outer loop. In a primary-and-secondary loop system, linear trails connect a primary loop with secondary loops. Last, a maze system incorporates both loops and linear trails. Maze systems provide users many choices; some users may find navigation difficult.<ref name="PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)-2013" />