I’m a trail builder and would like to work with UROC on building a trail

We encourage trail builders to work with us while making the network sustainable, functional, fun, and an overall elevated experience in the forest. You can be part of the trail-building process from the trail application right through to the final opening of the trail. We will help you gain the experience to be part of a trail build or help facilitate the project through every step. Contact UROC at: [email protected]

I want to be involved in trail building, but I’ve never done it before.

If you haven’t built a trail before, but you want to be involved UROC always has many projects on the go. By volunteering and spending time with us you will find out what is involved in taking on a build and the scale of commitment it will entail. UROC helps facilitate trail planning, laying out, GPS’ing your line, and applying for approval from the landowners. We’ll get you going with the right tools, materials, and additional workforce to meet all the challenges ahead of you.

Can I go in and start working on any trails anytime?

You should always check in with UROC before you consider working on any trail. We ask you not to move dirt, build features, or blaze in new sections of the trail without checking in with UROC. This is called significant trail works and we ask you not to carry out significant trail works. The best thing you can do is contact UROC at: [email protected]

What is significant trail work?

  • Any building or construction of a new trail without permission from the landowners.
  • For existing trails, re-routes, tree root or embedded rock removal, building features or structures, major drainage work, or any other trail alteration.
  • If you are using a chainsaw or axe, you are probably doing “significant trail work”.
  • If you are moving a lot of dirt, you are probably doing “significant trail work”.
  • Clearing deadfall on a non-existing trail is “significant trail work”
  • Clearing deadfall or other debris/obstacles, brushing, or addressing minor drainage issues on existing trails is not “significant trail work”.

Why do we need to ask first to build a trail?

  • The trail network exists on privately owned land.
  • Unauthorized trail work on that private land could jeopardize the access agreement UROC has attained with the landowners.
  • In addition to trail building and maintenance, this access agreement allows us to have vehicle access for trail work, have a paid trail crew, apply for government funding, and host events.
  • Our collective stewardship of the trails is crucial to maintaining the reputation of the mountain bike and trail user community.
  • Failure to follow the builder guidelines potentially jeopardizes access to the trail network for everyone.
  • In cases of unauthorized trail building, the builder could be held liable. UROC insurance may not apply. It is possible the builder/s would be asked to pay for the restoration of the line. 
  • UROC takes unauthorized trail work seriously. UROC is obliged to decommission any unauthorized trail building and report the circumstances to the landowners. The landowners may consider issuing fines or taking legal action against the offenders.
  • The trail network is becoming denser and there is a need to be strategic about new trail construction.

Are there good and bad places to build a trail?

Throughout the years the Cumberland network has started to see some areas that identify with different user groups and riding interests, this is largely due to the terrain characteristics and the type of trails built. We have learned over time where the bad places and the good places to build are, where the wet patches are, where the watershed exists, different landowner boundaries, or the landowners are next harvesting timber. We also know what character of trails would enhance or add to the trail network. We can save you a lot of time and effort. Contact us at: [email protected]

Builder guidelines and maintenance

  • The United Riders of Cumberland works with the planning and construction guidelines and trail application process published in 2020.
  • Any new builds or significant trail work guidelines as published in 2020.
  • The United Riders of Cumberland works from and maintains trails to the Whistler trail standards.

See the link to download the guidelines below.


Builder Guidelines Documents

(click to download)


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