Over the past decade, mountain biking has grown rapidly across Europe. Trail-based recreation now plays an important role in outdoor participation, rural development and public health. Quality trail systems create opportunities for physical activity, strengthen tourism economies and help communities reconnect with nature.
At the same time, climate change, biodiversity loss and growing recreational intensity all demand more careful planning, construction and management of trail infrastructure.
Today, much of the sector is built around small businesses, seasonal work and volunteer initiatives. These actors play a crucial role in maintaining and developing trail networks, but they often carry much of the responsibility for training the next generation of trail builders themselves, with few structured training opportunities to support their work.
The sector has developed remarkable practical knowledge over the past decades. However, more structured educational opportunities can help strengthen the craft, support professional development and give the trail building occupation the recognition it deserves.
Built on European Collaboration
Addressing this gap has been one of the motivations behind the DIRTT initiative (Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trail builder Training). Through three consecutive project phases supported by Erasmus+, partners across Europe have worked to develop competence frameworks, training resources and certification approaches for the trail building profession.
Building on this work, Fagskolen Viken Higher Vocational College in Norway, the lead partner for the DIRTT project, is now relaunching the Trail Building Management programme for the 2026/27 academic year, to support the international trail building community with more structured education.
