Trail Builder Magazine

09/02/2025

Trail building stories deserve a bigger stage.

That is why Trail Builder Magazine exists. We inform, inspire, and connect the global trail building community. Our print issues are not just filled with words. They are filled with the real stories of builders, advocates, and communities shaping the future of trails.

We are now accepting article submissions for upcoming issues. Whether you are a professional trail builder, a nonprofit leader, or a volunteer with a story from the field, we want to hear from you.

Your story matters. Your voice matters. Together, we can show the world what trail building is all about.

Submit your article idea today: https://www.trailbuildermag.com/article-submissions

08/28/2025

Who are your trails really for?

If your trail project isn’t designed with adaptive riders in mind, is it truly welcoming? From turn radius to trailhead access, every decision you make as a builder shapes who gets to ride.

In our latest article, we dig into how orgs and land managers can start building adaptive-friendly trails. No million-dollar budget required.

Adaptive mountain bikers deserve more than trail access—they deserve great trail experiences. This article outlines practical steps trail builders, nonprofits, and land managers can take to design inclusive, adaptive-friendly trails. From trail width to culture change, here’s how to make your tr...

08/27/2025

If you’re a trail org, what’s your pitch to brands?

So if a bike or outdoor brand asked, “How can we help?” ... what would you say?

Drop your pitch below.

08/25/2025

When I first started Trail Builder Magazine, the vision was simple: create a platform where the people shaping our trails could finally have their stories told. Riders, racers, and brands have always had a voice in mountain biking, but trail builders, the ones in the dirt, behind the tools, rarely did. That’s the gap this magazine was born to fill.

When you subscribe, it’s more than receiving a magazine in the mail or on your screen. You’re investing in the platform itself. Your subscription directly expands our budget so we can create more online content, cover more stories, and keep shining a light on the unsung heroes of this industry.

Trail Builder Magazine is more than a publication—it’s a platform to celebrate and support the unsung heroes of mountain biking. By subscribing, you invest in growing our community, fueling more stories, and connecting trail builders worldwide. Join us and help shape the future of trails.

08/21/2025

Trail support isn’t just feel-good marketing. It’s smart business, but it’s more than that ...

From dig days to dollars, our latest article shows how brands can track the real return on supporting trail projects. Sales. Loyalty. Community impact. It all counts. And yes, you can measure it. https://bit.ly/460TLEj

Supporting trail projects isn’t just good PR—it can drive real business results. From increased sales and brand loyalty to community impact, this guide helps bike brands, coffee roasters, breweries, and outdoor companies measure the ROI of trail support using proven metrics, research, and practi...

08/19/2025

Guess what? Volume 3, Issue 1 of Trail Builder Mag is here!

Available as a monthly/yearly subscription, a one-off print issue, or a digital download.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/45Lo14Z

08/18/2025

It’s easy to overlook a belt … until it fails halfway through a trail day. If you’ve ever had to re-tighten an old canvas belt mid-dig while balancing a McLeod on your shoulder, you know what I mean. That’s where Arcade Belts come in. They’re not trying to be flashy. They’re trying to do their job and disappear into your day. And they do.

Looking for the best belt for trail building? We tested Arcade’s Atlas and Hardware belts to see how they hold up to long days in the dirt. From daily wear to rugged work sessions, here’s why these belts belong in every trail builder’s kit.

08/15/2025

You know your trail work makes a difference. But can you prove it?

If you’re pitching to funders, land managers, or rural leaders, you need more than good vibes and volunteer photos. You need data. You need stories. You need impact.

Our latest article breaks it down: what to measure, how to track it, and how to use that info to show the true economic and social value of your trails.

Learn how trail builders and advocacy groups can measure and report the economic and social impact of their trail work. From tracking visitor spending to gathering volunteer data, this article offers practical steps to prove the value of trails to funders, policymakers, and community leaders.

08/07/2025

Some gear fades into the background in the best way possible. You don’t have to think about it, adjust it, or wrestle with it mid-ride or mid-dig. That was my experience with the Guardian knee pads from Avision MTB. They’re the kind of pads you forget you’re wearing until they save your knees or your day.

The Avision MTB Guardian Knee Pad isn’t just for riders—it’s a versatile, trail-ready option for builders too. With a low-profile fit, durable construction, and the ultra-convenient Fidlock V-Buckle, it’s ideal for dig days and ride days alike. We put it to the test to see how it holds up to...

08/05/2025

Too many brands talk about trails. Fewer show up for the people who build them.

Trail builders don’t need another hashtag. They need partners.

In our latest piece, we explore what real support looks like, from long-term funding to welcoming storytelling, and why performative sponsorship just isn’t enough anymore.

This article explores how bike and outdoor brands can move beyond performative sponsorship to provide real, lasting support for trail builders. From long-term funding and gear access to inclusive storytelling and staff engagement, we outline what meaningful partnership looks like—and why it matter...

08/04/2025

When designing a trail, how do you prevent (or reduce) user conflict between hikers, bikers, and equestrians?

08/01/2025

Do you build solo or with a crew?