6th Annual Sustainable Trails Training in Panthertown Valley
Friends of Panthertown is hosting an award-winning Sustainable Trail Design and Layout, Construction, and Maintenance training course instructed by Tim Johnson in Panthertown Valley near Cashiers, North Carolina in November 2026.
The Coalition for Recreational Trails selected the Friends of Panthertown Sustainable Trail Design and Layout, Construction, and Maintenance Training as winner of a CRT Annual Achievement Award for outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program funds in the Education and Communication category.
The value of this course is $500 per person. Each student will pay a $135 registration fee. The remainder of the course costs will be covered by Friends of Panthertown through an RTP Safety and Education Grant from NC Division of Parks and Recreation. Full and partial scholarships to cover up to 100% of the course (including the $135 registration fee) are available for those with a financial hardship. Contact us for details at friends@panthertown.org
Applications will soon be accepted. Everyone is welcome to apply. Underrepresented individuals 18-35 will be given priority consideration. Spaces are extremely limited.
We encourage anyone (18 or older) who is interested in this course to apply early for this rare training opportunity. No previous trail work experience is required. New folks, college students, well seasoned trail users, and professionals alike will all benefit from this course. You will gain and refine important stewardship skills, experience Panthertown Valley trails up close with a motivated group of volunteers and hard working individuals, and be part of the important conservation mission of Friends of Panthertown. Everyone is welcome.
Friends of Panthertown has a strong and abiding commitment to diversity and inclusion that is important to our mission. By welcoming individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds among our visitors, employed and volunteer workforce, board, and donors, we seek to further the U.S. Forest Service’s goal of creating a culture of inclusion which awakens and strengthens everyone’s connection with Panthertown and its unique natural resources.
About instructor Tim Johnson:
With over 20 years of experience in the parks and recreation field, Tim has led recreational planning and programming efforts for outdoor recreation infrastructure improvements and collaborated with a diverse range of partners and private stakeholders on developing local and regional recreational opportunities. Tim has a passion for trails and greenways that provide a variety of experiences for users with a focus on long-term sustainability and natural resource conservation. A user and educator of trails, Tim is an avid trail runner and also enjoys sharing the science of sustainable trail design, construction, and management with others. Tim holds degrees in Forest Management, Parks and Recreation Management, and Geography.
DOWNLOAD PDF – 2025 SUSTAINABLE TRAILS TRAINING FLYER
Sustainable Trail Design and Layout, Construction, and Maintenance
Course Description –Â
This three-day training course prepares individuals to plan, design, and layout, construct, and maintain sustainable natural surface trails for multiple uses. Coursework includes conceptual trail planning, field design and layout, and trail construction and maintenance. Upon completion, the student will be able to plan, layout, construct, and maintain natural surface trails with a variety of hand tools.
Course Length –
Lecture: Â 8 hours (Cashiers classroom)
Lab/Fieldwork: Â 16 hours (Panthertown Valley)
Certificates –
A certificate will be awarded by Friends of Panthertown for 24 hours of sustainable trails training for successful completion of the course.
Pre-Requisites –
None
Textbooks Recommended –
Trail Solutions: IMBA’s Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack
Course Learning Objectives –
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to complete conceptual trail planning and design.
- Demonstrate the ability to use of a clinometer to design, layout, and flag sustainable natural surface trails in the outdoor setting.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, use, and maintain hand tools used in trail construction and maintenance.
- Demonstrate basic, intermediate, and advanced earthen trail construction and maintenance techniques using hand tools.
- Recognize a variety of surface water control measures used on natural surface trails.
- Recognize the difference between climbing turns, switchbacks, and insloped turns.
- Identify common trail maintenance problems and their solutions.
Supplies and Other Requirements –
Participants should bring their own lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinking water. Students must dress appropriately for trail construction – gloves, safety glasses, long pants and closed-toe shoes (boots preferred). Trail-building tools and hardhats will be provided by Friends of Panthertown.
Evaluation Methodology –
Students will be evaluated through class participation and practical applications.
Attendance –
Students are required to attend 100% of scheduled class in order to earn credit for the program. Enrolled students are expected to participate in class discussions, practical field exercises, and other learning opportunities.
Class Schedule –
November 2026 (Dates/Times TBA)
Outline –Â
| Hours | Section | Topic |
| 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 Definitions of sustainable trails 1.2 Trail experience 1.3 Rolling contour trail |
| 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.1 Conceptual trail planning 2.2 Maps 2.3 Control points |
| 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.1 Practical conceptual trail planning exercise (classroom) |
| 1.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 Trail impacts 4.2 Five essential elements of sustainable trails 4.3 Grade 4.4 Using a clinometer |
| 0.5 | 5.0 | 5.1 Practical clinometer exercise (field) |
| 1.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 Process of trail design and layout 6.2 Design considerations for specific trail users 6.3 Trail elements |
| 1.5 | 7.0 | 7.1 Basic trail construction techniques 7.2 Process of trail construction 7.3 General trailwork specifications and standards 7.4 Hand tools for trail construction and maintenance 7.5 Mechanized trail construction 7.6 Advanced trail construction techniques |
| 2.5 | 8.0 | 8.1 Trail assessment 8.2 Basic trail maintenance issues and solutions 8.3 Advanced trail maintenance issues and solutions |
| 1.5 | 9.0 | 9.1 Practical layout exercise (Panthertown Valley) |
| 1.5 | 10.0 | 10.1 Practical assessment exercise |
| 3.0 | 11.0 | 11.1 Practical trail construction exercise (Panthertown Valley) |
| 5.0 | 12.0 | 12.1 Practical trail maintenance exercise |
| 2.5 | 13.0 | 13.1 Practical trail maintenance exercise (Panthertown Valley) |
| 0.5 | 14.0 | 14.1 Universal trail design |
| 1.0 | 15.0 | 15.1 Course review 15.2 Course assessment 15.3 Course evaluation |
