Making a forest trail on my property, what type of ground cover should I use?

I lived on a property with 7 acres. Some heavily wooded, a ravine with creek etc. As others have said, I partially followed a path I believe was made by deer. I mapped it out...kind of walked it. Then got my chain saw and cleared the area (dead, partly fallen tress etc). Then took a trimmer, i changed out the head and instead of a string trimmer it had those plastic blades. I used the trimmer and cleared out the path. I tried some wood chips on the muddy part of the trail, but really it was too much trouble and wasnt worth it. So it was just a simple forest trail and the more I used it the better it got. Good times...I sold the property and moved and miss it.

Good luck.

Thanks everybody. I had already cut a chainsaw path through the woods, it’s the ground itself that really needs some work.

There are too many undulations and turns for me to do a riding lawnmower through at this point, but I like the trimmer with blades approach. No grass back there. Some moss, but really it’s just brambles, ivy, honeysuckle, and trees that want to grow up constantly. The ground underneath is somewhere between loam and clay. There are a few large rocks embedded in as well as I am in the foothills.

I’ll keep you posted

Lenny Leonard wrote:

Thanks everybody. I had already cut a chainsaw path through the woods, it’s the ground itself that really needs some work.

There are too many undulations and turns for me to do a riding lawnmower through at this point, but I like the trimmer with blades approach. No grass back there. Some moss, but really it’s just brambles, ivy, honeysuckle, and trees that want to grow up constantly. The ground underneath is somewhere between loam and clay. There are a few large rocks embedded in as well as I am in the foothills.

I’ll keep you posted

Where in VA? I will come run it until you got a beat path. $1 per mile

webby wrote:

Assuming grass won't grow in shaded woods, so dirt or wood chips (if you have a chipper) are the only good choices, IMO.

And to the guy with 3 acres, the perimeter of 2 acres is almost exactly 400 meters.

Depend on the shape of the lot, bro. Not all 3 acre lots have a maximized perimeter.

I forgot part of the process. After I used the gas powered trimmer, I used several sprayers full of "round -up" I had a back-pack type sprayer. I sprayed the weed killer on about a 3 foot wide area and just walked it while spraying. After a week, the vegetation died and the more I ran on it then it just turned into a dirt trail. The wife and kids and I would also use the trail to take walks and walk the dog so it was well used.

I also did use a rake and cleaned off some of the dead sticks and branches after all of the vegetation died. I never worried about the roots and rocks, they weren't that bad and I just avoided them while running.

Lenny Leonard wrote:

Thanks everybody. I had already cut a chainsaw path through the woods, it’s the ground itself that really needs some work.

There are too many undulations and turns for me to do a riding lawnmower through at this point, but I like the trimmer with blades approach. No grass back there. Some moss, but really it’s just brambles, ivy, honeysuckle, and trees that want to grow up constantly. The ground underneath is somewhere between loam and clay. There are a few large rocks embedded in as well as I am in the foothills.

I’ll keep you posted

We just cleaned up 26 miles of the Buckeye Trail running through the AEP recreation area. The majority of it we do with a brush mower and loppers. A folding saw is a good tool to cut larger limbs that are too big for the loppers. On the sections we can't mow, a weed eater with a cutter attachment does great.

I have a different 3 mile section I maintain and I use a regular string trimmer and loppers.

If you are making a new trail, the one tool you can do the most with is a fire rake like this one.

If you learn how to use it (more cutting/less raking), you can do pretty much every thing except cut out larger tree roots from the trail

Lenny, you have a wonderful plan. Best of luck in preparing your trail.

Back in the 80s we ran a college XC meet somewhere in the Florida panhandle. Part of the course I thought as rather tranquil (for a push and shove XC race) as a large section looped through a forest of pine trees. The footing was the pine needles from the trees. For years I've tried to remember where that was. Does it ring a bell with the LR old farts? I do remember the footing being soft, but somewhat slippery.

Common Man wrote:

webby wrote:

Assuming grass won't grow in shaded woods, so dirt or wood chips (if you have a chipper) are the only good choices, IMO.

And to the guy with 3 acres, the perimeter of 2 acres is almost exactly 400 meters.

Depend on the shape of the lot, bro. Not all 3 acre lots have a maximized perimeter.

Good point! I should have said the minimum perimeter of a 2-acre lot is roughly 400 meters (a bit less if it's a perfect square).

Bare dirt and naturally decomposed leaves with proper drainage makes for a fine trail.

Check out some of the local or regional parks that have trails. Some of these are laid with a composite of soil and sand and/or other...Locate the grounds department and seek advice from them.

Lenny Leonard wrote:

I have two acres of woods that I would like to cut a running trail into. The total distance is going to be approximately 400m (1320ft).

For those with experience, how should I prep the ground, and what kind of material should I lay down on it? Mulch, dirt, shells, gravel, something else?

This is in Virginia. Gets pretty lush with berries, briars, ivy, and other ground covering each year.

I live in VA. The surprising amount of precipitation on the East Coast year round and climate would make me advocate for finely crushed limestone. When you get a streak of rainy days purely dirt and grass trails can be ruined for a week or more. And in the winter snow will melt off faster. This is what a lot of rail trails use and it seems to hold up.

webby wrote:

Common Man wrote:

Depend on the shape of the lot, bro. Not all 3 acre lots have a maximized perimeter.

Good point! I should have said the minimum perimeter of a 2-acre lot is roughly 400 meters (a bit less if it's a perfect square).

5x4 has an area of 20 and a perimeter of 18.

20x1 has an area of 20 but a perimeter of 42.

Start with the string trimmer (or plastic blades). Make a single track maybe 2-3 feet wide. Then, remove any roots or rocks that would cause you to trip. Stop. You're done for now. Run on it and see how you like it.

If you have problems with grass recapturing the trail, you could add pulverized gravel. Pulverized gravel is far better than gravel and will keep the grass from growing over your path. You should avoid wood chips. They float and will wash off the path with heavy rain. Keep in mind that in fall, leaves will cover your trail if it goes through the woods. Running will break them down.

Oh, my point about the leaves is that leaves will hide any roots, rocks, or ruts in your path. That's why you need to take out the roots and rocks in those sections. Otherwise, you'll either fall or have to be constantly looking down as you run.

Do you never plan on leaving your property? Seems like a strange, almost Hughes-like thing to do.

I have never understood why anyone would make a running trail on their property when all they have to do is step outside and run down the street. A half pipe is one thing, but a running trail is just lame.

Pulverized gravel seems like the best way to go that would give some firm footing and not turn into mud puddles during streaks of heavy rain.

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

Someone needs to delete my post.

The link to the image was long and messed up the page.

Star wrote:

Someone needs to delete my post.

The link to the image was long and messed up the page.

Indeed. But your idea is good. And at 400m one could rent one of those little 3 foot wide steamrollers you see on job sites to compress it.

I like mulch too and woodchips but the latter does get in your shoes as noted. A local trail I run on has mulch dumped on it once a year and its nice and soft. But its a lot of mulch...