Trail Builder Magazine

The best bikepacking routes in America have something in common: someone is working behind the scenes to keep them open.

Behind every mile of the Oregon Timber Trail, Arizona Trail (stewarded by the Arizona Trail Association), Colorado Trail, and countless other bikepacking routes are volunteers, trail crews, nonprofit organizations, and land managers working to keep them connected and rideable.

A new BOLT Coalition (Bikepacking Roots, International Mountain Bicycling Association, PeopleForBikes.org) report shines a spotlight on America’s long-distance trails.

We wanted to share insights from this report as it relates to the trail building community.

Who Keeps America’s Long-Distance Trails Alive? Insights from the BOLT Coalition Report — Trail Builder Magazine A new BOLT Coalition report highlights America’s long-distance bike trails and the often unseen stewardship required to keep routes like the Oregon Timber Trail connected, maintained, and rideable.

What if one law changed the future of mountain biking?

In 2003, Scotland gave mountain bikers the legal right to ride and explore most of the country’s land, as long as they did so responsibly.

The result?

Trail associations. Stronger relationships with landowners. Thriving trail towns. Hundreds of kilometers of maintained trails. Millions in rural economic impact.

In Volume 4, Issue 1 of Trail Builder Magazine, Illya Rudkin explores how Scotland transformed from rogue trails and conflict into one of the world’s most respected trail-building models.

Learn more about our latest issue: https://bit.ly/4v65Gug

Before there was a bike park, there were pirate trails.

Before there were chairlifts carrying bikes, there were volunteers carrying shovels.

From the Ground Up, Austin Smith and Jerrick Montee tell the story of how a passionate community helped transform Bogus Basin into one of Idaho’s premier gravity riding destinations.

From backyard dirt jumps and secret trail networks to lift-served riding and 40 Acres of Freedom, it’s a story built by riders, trail builders, and countless volunteer hours.

From the Ground Up: How Bogus Basin Built Idaho’s Gravity Mountain Bike Scene — Trail Builder Magazine Discover how Bogus Basin transformed from a winter-focused recreation area into one of Idaho’s premier gravity mountain biking destinations through community vision, volunteer trail building, and a passion for riding.

Building a trail is exciting.

Keeping it alive is the hard part.

Volunteer hours. Partnerships. Advocacy. Maintenance. Community buy-in.

In Volume 4, Issue 1, Brett Johnson reminds us that building a trail is only the beginning. Stewardship is what keeps it alive.

Learn more and subscribe: https://bit.ly/4v65Gug

Trail Builder Magazine has always been bigger than a magazine.

What we’re trying to build is an independent media platform dedicated to the people who build, maintain, and advocate for trails. The folks who usually stay behind the scenes while the spotlight lands somewhere else.

Subscriptions are how we keep that going.

Not venture capital. Not clickbait. Not chasing algorithms.

Just a growing community of people who believe trail builders deserve thoughtful storytelling, meaningful conversations, practical education, and a platform that actually represents this world well.

Every subscription helps us continue producing independent trail building media through print issues, articles, interviews, newsletters, and social media coverage focused on the people shaping trails around the world.

Learn more and subscribe: https://bit.ly/44fVkOt

Trail fairies may not exist.

According to “preliminary scientific evidence,” those perfectly shaped berms, mysterious rock armoring projects, and freshly cleared trails might actually be the result of volunteers showing up week after week with shovels, rakes, caffeine, and questionable protein sources.

Yes, this is a real article.

“Preliminary Evidence that Trail Fairies Do Not Exist” by Sébastien Houde is one of the many stories featured in the brand new Volume 4, Issue 1 of Trail Builder Magazine.

It might be the most scientific thing we’ve ever published.

Pick up your copy today: https://bit.ly/4v65Gug

I am stoked to share that the latest issue of Trail Builder Magazine has officially arrived.

Volume 4, Issue 1 continues our mission to inspire, inform, and connect trail builders around the world around the common goal of building, maintaining, and advocating for more trails.

What started as an idea to create a voice for trail builders has grown into something much larger: a global community of volunteers, professional builders, advocates, riders, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders who believe trails matter.

This new issue reflects the growing momentum happening throughout the trail building world right now.

Trail Builder Magazine Releases Volume 4, Issue 1 — Trail Builder Magazine Trail Builder Magazine releases Volume 4, Issue 1, featuring trail builders, advocacy, trail culture, community stories, and insights shaping the future of trails worldwide.

Before pump tracks became a global phenomenon, Niels Bensink was building one in his backyard at 8 years old.

In “Black Gold and Fast Lines” by Colin Field, featured in the upcoming Volume 4, Issue 1, we dive into the story of the Crankworx champion and Velosolutions builder who went from chasing the BMX dream to shaping pump tracks around the world.

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Too many small towns all over the world have been written off.

Mills closed. Mines shuttered. Main streets emptied. Young people moved away.

Then somehow, somewhere along the way, trails became part of the story.

We hear a lot about places like Bentonville or Moab. But what about the lesser-known communities? The ones quietly rebuilding momentum through trail building, mountain biking, gravel riding, or outdoor recreation?

What struggling rural community have you seen positively impacted by trails?

Could be economic.
Could be cultural.
Could be simply bringing people back together again.

We’d love to hear the stories, examples, and places that deserve more attention.

What happens when trail work becomes more than just trail work?

In Volume 4, Issue 1, Alex Perales shares a deeply personal story about volunteer trail building, fatherhood, Type 1 diabetes, community, and finding healing in the woods one swing, one cut, and one cleared trail at a time.

This article goes far beyond bikes and dirt.

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