Editing Trail (section)

=== Segregated ===
Trail segregation, the practice of designating certain trails as having a specific preferred or exclusive use, is increasingly common and diverse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymtb.org/home/user-management-techniques-part-4-segregated-use|work=User Management Techniques|title=Part 4 – Segregated Use|publisher=City MTB|access-date=13 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115023648/http://www.citymtb.org/home/user-management-techniques-part-4-segregated-use|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, [[bike path|bike trails]] are used not only on roads open to motor vehicles but also in trail systems open to other trail users. Some trails are segregated for use by both equestrians and mountain bikes or by equestrians or mountain bikes alone. Designated "wilderness area" trails may be segregated for non-wheeled use permitting backpacking and horses but not permitting mountain bikes and motorized vehicles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/bill-seeks-to-remove-bike-ban-in-wilderness-areas/|title=Bill seeks to remove bike ban in wilderness areas|date=18 December 2020|first=Claire|last=McArthur|newspaper=Tahoe Daily Tribune|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115230901/https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/bill-seeks-to-remove-bike-ban-in-wilderness-areas/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Often, trail segregation for a particular use is accompanied by prohibitions against that use on other trails within the trail system. Trail segregation may be supported by signage, markings, trail design and construction (especially the selection of tread materials), and by separation between parallel treads. Separation may be achieved by "natural" barriers including distance, ditching, banking, grading, and vegetation, and by "artificial" barriers including fencing, curbing, and walls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/new-zealand-cycle-trail-design-guide.pdf|title=New Zealand Cycle Trail Design Guide|publisher=Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment|location=New Zealand|year=2019|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203210010/https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/new-zealand-cycle-trail-design-guide.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Bicycle ====
{{main|Bike path}} {{see also|Bikeway|Rail trail|Mountain biking|Single track (mountain biking)}}

Bicycle trails encompass a wide variety of trail types, including shared-use paths used for commuting, off-road [[Cross-country cycling|cross-country]] trails and [[Downhill mountain biking|downhill mountain bike]] trails. 
[[File:Pfaelzerwald Mountainbike Drachenfels 01.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of hikers and mountain bikers on top of a flat rock hill overlooking a forest |Hikers and mountain bikers on top of the Drachenfels (Dragon's Rock) in the [[Palatinate Forest]], Germany]]
The number of off-road cycle trails has increased significantly, along with the popularity of [[mountain bikes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-49541621|title=New off-road cycle route links England and Scotland|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=1 September 2019|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203004828/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-49541621|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201213-a-new-way-to-travel-across-the-us|first=Stephen|last=Starr|title=A new way to travel across the US|date=14 December 2020|publisher=BBC.com|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109000220/http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201213-a-new-way-to-travel-across-the-us|url-status=live}}</ref> Off-road bicycle trails are generally function-specific and most commonly waymarked along their route. They may take the form of single routes or form part of larger complexes, known as trail centers. Off-road trails often incorporate a mix of challenging terrain, [[singletrack]], smooth [[fire trail|fireroads]], and even paved paths. Trails with an easy or moderate technical complexity are generally deemed cross-country trails, while trails difficult even to experienced riders are more often dubbed [[Enduro (mountain biking)|all-mountain]], [[freeride (mountain biking)|freeride]], or downhill. Downhilling is popular at ski resorts like [[Mammoth Mountain Ski Area|Mammoth Mountain]] in California,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mammothmountain.com/mammoth-bike-park|title=Mammoth Bike Park|publisher=Mammoth Mountain Ski Area|access-date=13 January 2021|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114221757/https://www.mammothmountain.com/mammoth-bike-park|url-status=live}}</ref> or [[Whistler Blackcomb#Whistler Mountain Bike Park|Whistler Blackcomb]] in British Columbia, where [[ski lifts]] are used to get bikes and riders to the top of the mountain.

[[EuroVelo]] bicycle routes are a network of (currently 17) [[long-distance cycling route]]s criss-crossing Europe in various stages of completion; more than {{convert|90000|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} was in place by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Categories of EuroVelo Routes |url=https://en.eurovelo.com/faq |url-status=live |access-date=6 February 2021 |website=[[EuroVelo]] |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126033811/https://en.eurovelo.com/faq }}</ref><!--<ref name="ecf1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ecf.com/projects/eurovelo-2/ |title=Projects and networks – EuroVelo |publisher=ECF |access-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121014209/http://www.ecf.com/projects/eurovelo-2/ |archive-date=21 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is envisaged that the network will be substantially complete by 2020 and when finished, the EuroVelo network's total length will exceed {{convert|70000|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurovelo.org |title=EuroVelo – the European cycle route network |website=EuroVelo.org website |access-date=9 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="routes1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurovelo.org/routes/ |title=Routes |website=EuroVelo |publisher=ECF |access-date=23 January 2012}}</ref> (now out-of-date)---> EuroVelo is a project of the [[European Cyclists' Federation]] (ECF).

EuroVelo routes can be used for [[bicycle touring]] across the continent, and by local people making short journeys. The routes comprise both existing [[National cycling route network|national bike routes]], such as the Dutch [[Dutch National Cycle Routes|LF-Routes]], the German [[German Cycling Network|D-Routes]], and the British [[National Cycle Network]], and existing general-purpose roads, together with new stretches of cycle routes to connect them.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/euros-for-eurovelo-18549 |title=Euros for EuroVelo |last=Richard Peace |date=17 September 2008 |website=bikeradar.com |publisher=[[Future Publishing Ltd]]. |access-date=21 December 2009 |archive-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925082050/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/euros-for-eurovelo-18549 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Off-road cycling can cause [[soil erosion]] and [[habitat destruction]] if not carried out on established trails. This is true when trails are wet, though overall, cycling may not have more of an impact as other trail users.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bjorkman |first=Alan |title=Off-road Bicycle and Hiking Trail User Interactions: A Report to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board |date=1996 |publisher=[[Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]], Bureau of Research |location=Wisconsin}}</ref>

==== Cross-country skiing ====
[[Image:Ski trails.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of a groomed, snow-covered cross-country ski trail |Prepared ski trails for [[cross-country skiing]]]]
{{main|Cross-country skiing trail}} 
In cross-country skiing, a trail is also called a track or piste.<ref>{{cite dictionary|entry=piste|dictionary=New Oxford American Dictionary}}</ref> Recreational cross-country skiing is also called touring, especially in Europe. Some skiers stay out for extended periods using [[tents]] and equipment similar to bushwalkers and hikers, whereas others take shorter trips from ski resorts on maintained trails. In some countries, organizations maintain a network of huts for use by cross-country skiers in wintertime. For example, the [[Norwegian Mountain Touring Association]] maintains over 400 huts stretching across hundreds of kilometres of trails hikers use in the summer and skiers use in the winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.dnt.no|title=The Norwegian Trekking Association|access-date=8 February 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204101251/https://english.dnt.no/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Equestrian ====
{{see also|Bridle path|trail riding}}
[[File:Loantaka Brook Reservation bikeway horse path and stream and reflections.jpg|thumb|left|A combination horse and hiking trail in a suburb of New York City]]

Horse riding and other [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] uses of trails continue to be a popular activity for many trail users.<ref name="BNT">The Bicentennial National Trail, Welcome to One of the World's Great Natural Adventures</ref> Horses can usually negotiate much the same grades as hikers, but not always, although they can more easily clear obstacles in the path such as logs.<ref name="john.chapman.name">{{Cite web|url=http://www.john.chapman.name/bicent.html|title=Bushwalking – Bicentennial National Trail|website=www.john.chapman.name|access-date=6 June 2020|archive-date=3 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803005437/http://www.john.chapman.name/bicent.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Bicentennial National Trail]] (BNT) in Australia is one of the longest marked multi-use trail in the world, stretching {{convert|5330|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Cooktown, Queensland]], through [[New South Wales]] to [[Healesville, Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bicentennialnationaltrail.com.au/discover-the-bnt/#menu_bnt|title=Bicentennial National Trail|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114072752/https://www.bicentennialnationaltrail.com.au/discover-the-bnt/#menu_bnt|url-status=live}}</ref> This trail runs the length of the rugged [[Great Dividing Range]] through [[national park]]s, private property and alongside of [[wilderness area]]s. One of the objectives was to develop a trail that linked up the [[brumby]] tracks,<ref name="BNT" /> [[Muster (livestock)|mustering]] and [[stock route]]s along the Great Dividing Range, thus providing an opportunity to legally ride the routes of [[Stockman (Australia)|stockmen]] and [[drover (Australian)|drover]]s who once travelled these areas with [[packhorse|pack horse]]s. This Trail provides access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world.<ref name="BNT" /> The Bicentennial National Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse riders, fit walkers and mountain bike riders.<ref name="john.chapman.name" />

Within the United States National Trail Classification System,<ref>{{cite journal|title=National Trail Classification System, FSM 2350, and FSH 2309.18|journal=Federal Register|date=3 July 2006|volume=71|number=127|pages=38021–38052|url=http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2006/July/Day-03/i5967.htm|access-date=6 March 2008|archive-date=7 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807143609/http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2006/July/Day-03/i5967.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> equestrian trails include simple day-use bridle paths and others built to accommodate long strings of pack animals on journeys lasting many days.  Trail design parameters for these uses include trail base width and material, trail clear width, trail clear height, access to water suitable for stock (not human) use, and trail routing.

==== Pedestrian ====
{{See also|Footpath|Sidewalk|Trail running}}
[[File:An urban footpath.JPG|thumb|An urban footpath in [[Ipswich]], Suffolk, United Kingdom, which prohibits cycling]]

A footpath is a type of [[thoroughfare]] that is intended for use only by [[pedestrians]] either within an urban area or through the countryside. An urban footpath is usually called an alley or lane and often paved (see also: [[sidewalk]] and [[Sidewalk|pavement]]). Other public [[Right of way (transit)|rights of way]], such as [[bridleways]], [[Byway (United Kingdom)|byways]], towpaths, and [[Green lane (road)|green lanes]] are also used by pedestrians.

In England and Wales, there are rights of way on which pedestrians have a legally protected right to travel. [[National parks]], [[nature preserves]], [[conservation area]]s and other protected [[wilderness]] areas may have trails that are restricted to pedestrians.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/hikingtrails.htm |title=Trails |website=nps.gov |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=25 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425190024/https://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/hikingtrails.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Footpaths can be connected to form a [[long-distance trail]] or way, which can be used by both day hikers and [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpackers]]. Some trails are over {{convert|1000|mi}} long.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.era-ewv-ferp.org/e-paths/ |title="E Paths: The Best Way to Get to Know Europe", European Ramblers Association |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126123940/http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the US and Canada, where [[urban sprawl]] has reached rural communities, developers and local leaders are currently striving to make their communities more conducive to non-motorized transportation through the use of less traditional trails. The [[Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]] in the US has established the [[Active Living by Design]] program to improve the [[Quality of life|livability]] of communities in part through developing trails,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.humpal.org/program-areas/active-living-primer |title=Active Living By Design – HumPAL |website=humpal.org |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213091625/http://humpal.org/program-areas/active-living-primer |archive-date=13 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Upper Valley Trails Alliance]] in [[Vermont]] has done similar work on traditional trails, while the [[Somerville Community Path]] in [[Somerville, Massachusetts]], and related paths, are examples of urban initiatives. In St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada the "Grand Concourse", is an integrated walkway system that has over {{cvt|160|km}} of walkways, which link every major park, river, pond and green space in six municipalities.<ref name=GrandConcourse />

==== Motor ====
[[File:Off road trail.jpg|thumb|left|alt= |An off-road trail leading into a forest.]] [[File:Orv-damage.jpg|thumb|alt= Photograph of deep ruts left by a vehicle that left a posted trail |Damage that occurred when vehicles left the posted trail at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.]]
{{main|Off-roading}} {{see also|Jeep trail}}

A motorized trail is a trail intended for off-road vehicles, potentially including 4×4 cars, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), although trails may restrict the nature of vehicles that are permitted to operate upon them.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jr..Watts |first1=Clifton E. |last2=Fisher |first2=Cherie LeBlanc |title=Proceedings of the 2009 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium |url=https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/35609 |website=Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-66. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 276 p. [Online only]. |access-date=14 February 2025 |pages=214-222 |language=en |date=2010}}</ref>

Many motorized trails are maintained on federal land within the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2015 |title=Motorized Recreational Use |url=https://www.doi.gov/ocl/motorized-recreational-use |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=U.S. Department of the Interior |language=en}}</ref> The [[Recreational Trails Program]] defined as part of the [[Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act]] of 1991 mandates that states must use a minimum of 30 percent of these funds for motorized trail uses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointment of Fiscal Yea (FY) 2008 Recreational Trail Program Funds |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510655.cfm |url-status=live |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018150314/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510655.cfm }}</ref>

Some members of the US government<ref name="fed">{{Cite web |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ |title=USDA Forest Service – Caring for the land and serving people. |website=fs.fed.us |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610122834/https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and environmental organizations, including the [[Sierra Club]] and [[The Wilderness Society (United States)|The Wilderness Society]].<ref name="sierra1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/offroad.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061201153933/http://www.sierraclub.org/policy/conservation/offroad.asp|url-status=dead|title= Sierra Club Conservation Policies Off-Road Use of Motorized Vehicles|archive-date=1 December 2006|access-date=6 June 2020 |website=[[Sierra Club]]}}</ref><ref name="wilderness010">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/ORV/index.cfm?TopLevel=Home|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214145958/http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/ORV/index.cfm?TopLevel=Home|url-status=dead|title=Off-Road Vehicles and Public Lands: A National Problem|archive-date=14 December 2006|access-date=6 June 2020 |website=[[The Wilderness Society (United States)|The Wilderness Society]]}}</ref> have criticized off-road vehicle use on [[public land]]. They have noted several consequences of illegal ORV use such as pollution, trail damage, [[erosion]], [[land degradation]], possible [[extinction|species extinction]],<ref name="CPC">{{Cite web |url=http://centerforplantconservation.org/Collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=3407 |title=National Collection of Imperiled Plants – Pholisma sonorae |last=Rice |first=Kathleen C. |publisher=[[Center for Plant Conservation]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104114734/http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=3407 |archive-date=4 November 2012 |access-date=8 June 2012}}</ref> and habitat destruction<ref name="lvrj">{{Cite web |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/13702907.html |title=Officials seek to protect desert reptile |website=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207131413/http://www.lvrj.com/news/13702907.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which can leave hiking trails impassable. ORV proponents argue legal use taking place under planned access along with the multiple environmental and trail conservation efforts by ORV groups will mitigate these issues. Groups such as the BlueRibbon Coalition advocate Treadlightly, which is the responsible use of public lands used for off-road activities.
[[Image:Seymour Logging Road.JPG|thumb|right|alt=A photogrpoh of a steep logging road climbing through a forest |A [[British Columbia Ministry of Forests]] [[forest service road]] in steep terrain at the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve near [[North Vancouver (district municipality)|North Vancouver]], British Columbia, Canada]]
[[Noise pollution]] is also a concern,<ref name="wilderness">{{Cite web |url=http://wilderness.org/content/addressing-ecological-effects-road-vehicles |title={{title case|addressing ecological effects of road vehicles}} |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081128011908/http://wilderness.org/content/addressing-ecological-effects-road-vehicles |archive-date=28 November 2008 |access-date=28 July 2014|website=wilderness.org}}</ref> and several studies conducted by [[Montana State University - Bozeman|Montana State University]], [[California State University]], the [[University of Florida]] and others have cited possible negative behavioral changes in wildlife as the result of some ORV use.<ref name="wildland">{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlandscpr.org/node/258|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225234104/http://www.wildlandscpr.org/node/258 |archive-date=25 December 2010|title=The Impacts of Off-Road Vehicle Noise on Wildlife|website=Wildlands CPR}}</ref> Several US states such as Washington have laws to reduce noise generated by off-road and non-highway vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|quote=State law requires off-road and other non-highway vehicles to use specified noise-muffling devices (RCW 46.09.120(1) (e) maximum limits and test procedures). State agencies and local governments may adopt regulations governing the operation of non-highway vehicles on property, streets, or highways within their jurisdiction, provided they are not less stringent than state law (RCW 46.09.180 regulation by local political subdivisions|url=http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0401007.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207124440/http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0401007.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012|title=Frequently Asked Questions about Noise Pollution – for Local Government|publisher=Washington State Department of Ecology}}</ref>

==== Water ====
[[Water trail]]s, also referred to as blueways or paddling trails, are marked routes on [[navigable waterway]]s such as [[rivers]], [[lakes]], [[canals]] and coastlines for people using small non-motorized [[boats]] such as [[kayaks]], [[canoes]], [[rafts]], or [[rowboats]]. Some trails may be suitable for [[Tubing (recreation)#Water|float tubing]] or developed in concert with motorized use. They include: signs and route markers; maps; facilities for parking, boat ramps or docks, and places to camp and picnic. There are also state programs and other promotion for water trails in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americantrails.org/resources/water/ |title=Water and boating trails resources projects promotion |website=americantrails.org |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106015038/http://www.americantrails.org/resources/water/ |archive-date=6 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americantrails.org/resources/water/National-Water-Trails-overview.html |title=overview of the National Water Trails System |website=americantrails.org |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522000542/http://www.americantrails.org/resources/water/National-Water-Trails-overview.html |archive-date=22 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[American Canoe Association]] has compiled a database of water trails in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americancanoe.org/site/c.lvIZIkNZJuE/b.4343521/k.939D/ACA_Water_Trails.htm |title=The ACA's Water Trails Database website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614064431/http://www.americancanoe.org/site/c.lvIZIkNZJuE/b.4343521/k.939D/ACA_Water_Trails.htm |archive-date=14 June 2010 |access-date=11 April 2014}}</ref> The [[National Park Service]] Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program has compiled a list of water trail resources, success stories, and statewide contacts for water trails.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/portals/rivers/projpg/watertrails.htm |title=National Center For Recreation & Conservation – Rivers |website=nps.gov |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502193422/http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/portals/rivers/projpg/watertrails.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>