Kate and I have always been fond of walking together, and the forest is one of our favorite places to do it. We are incredibly fortunate to own a small patch of woodland, and have created trails through the woods to indulge our favorite pastime.
Our trail system evolved gradually and organically over the years, and now consists of over three miles of walking paths. Here are some thoughts to inform your own efforts.
Were I to start over on a new patch of timber, I would approach it more systematically.
A good starting point is the perimeter. Regular walks around the edge of the property help you monitor for trespassing. If the property is wooded, the perimeter trail could be a firebreak (hire an experienced bulldozer operator for that work). That will facilitate prescribed burning, as well as wildfire control if necessary. It also allows for access by a four-wheeler, golf-cart, etc. which comes in handy when you need to install a duck box or cut a tree on the far end of the property.
Next, consider the interesting features of the property. You might not have a mile-high waterfall, but perhaps there is an interesting rock outcropping, a noteworthy tree, a small stream, or a spot where wildflowers bloom each spring. Try to route your trails where they will pass by these points of interest.
I've also found that creating "loop" routes are more pleasurable than "there and back again" routes. There's nothing wrong with retracing steps, but where you have an option to circle back around to the starting point it makes for a more interesting stroll.
Winter is the time for trail construction, since the ticks, chiggers and deerflies are all sleeping. Also the poison ivy vines have lost their leaves (although you should learn to recognize the leafless vines, as they will cause the same skin reaction).
Once I've decided on a general route, I do an initial "path clearing." Sometimes that's just a matter of walking through and removing downed trees and branches by hand, other times it involves a chainsaw. When picking a route, keep in mind that gentle curves over mildly sloping areas are easiest for walking.
Next comes the somewhat tedious process of removing saplings, small trees, vines and overhanging limbs. My tools of choice are a folding pruning saw and small pair of loppers, as they are easy to carry. This usually takes several passes over the route, back and forth (you'll see things in one direction that you miss walking the other way). A mattock comes in handy for leveling out uneven areas, if you like.
Once the trail is mostly clear, we start using it immediately, and daily if possible. This is a key step in construction. It takes thousands of footsteps to define the trail, packing down the soil. It makes for a more solid and even walking surface, makes the trail more visible, and helps inhibit the growth of unwanted vegetation.
For stream crossings, keep in mind that the water level may rise dramatically after a rain. Having the ability to get a vehicle across the stream is ideal, but that could involve major expense, permits and bureaucracy. I opted for a footbridge across the main stream on our property.
During the first spring and summer I spray any encroaching brush, weeds or grass with a brush killer herbicide. I use a backpack sprayer, and it usually requires at least two applications a few weeks apart.
Once established, it has to be maintained, and the most important part of maintenance is to use it regularly. An unused trail will quickly get overgrown and become unpassable, especially during the summer.
Maintenance also consists of a couple of brush killer applications each summer, as well as clearing the occasional downed limb or tree. Passing through with a pair of loppers once each year is helpful for cutting back small limbs that start intruding.
Another thing we enjoy is naming our trails. We try to use names that reflect the place in some way, such as "Hoot Owl Trail", "Salamander Slope" or "Magnolia Firebreak".
Below, Kate is walking down the Valentine Trail, which was her Valentine's Day present one year. I staked cedar logs on the slope to make walking down the hill easier.
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