Trail Building Management
Hvorfor velge dette studiet?
This study was previously titled Mountain Bike Trail Planning, Construction and Maintenance.
Why choose this study programme?
Mountain biking and nature-based recreation are growing rapidly worldwide, creating new opportunities for outdoor experiences and local development. At the same time, increased activity and changing climate conditions require more thoughtful planning to ensure trails remain durable and environmentally responsible over time.
This programme gives you applied competence to develop and oversee trail projects that are adapted to landscape conditions, environmental considerations, regulatory frameworks and user needs.
The study combines technical understanding with field-based learning, preparing you to take responsibility for leading trail development processes in a professional context.
The programme is based on the European DIRTT competence framework and follows an internationally developed and quality-assured syllabus, ensuring alignment with recognised guidelines and best practice within professional trail development.
Hva lærer du?
What do you learn?
In this part-time blended-learning programme, you develop the competence to plan, coordinate and lead trail development projects alongside professional practice. You work with real-world cases and field-based assignments, strengthening your ability to combine technical understanding, regulatory awareness and professional judgement in complex development contexts.
The programme is built around three core thematic areas of the European DIRTT EQF Level 5 syllabus, reflecting the full trail development process. A detailed study plan specific to the Trail Building Management programme at Fagskolen Viken is currently under development and will be published during spring 2026.
Module 1: Mountain Biking in Society
This module explores the historical development, cultural significance and industry dynamics of mountain biking. You analyse stakeholder roles and interests – including landowners, authorities, user groups and commercial actors – and assess how these relationships influence trail development in practice.
The module also addresses sustainability and inclusion, integrating ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions. You work with policy frameworks, regulatory requirements and collaborative processes, developing the professional judgement required to balance environmental responsibility, community engagement and diverse user needs.
Weight: 3 credits
Module 2: Design and Management
This module focuses on leading and coordinating the core planning and management processes of trail development projects. You work with stakeholder engagement, feasibility studies and trail building planning, assessing site conditions, environmental impacts, user needs and financial viability.
You prepare trail specifications, budgets and project documentation, aligning field-based design decisions with regulatory frameworks and client expectations. The module also addresses contracting principles, risk management and trail user management strategies, strengthening your ability to coordinate complex projects from early concept through structured implementation.
Weight: 7 credits
Module 3: Construction and Maintenance
This module focuses on operational planning, construction oversight and long-term trail performance. You create operational plans, manage risk and ensure compliance with regulatory and HSE requirements throughout the construction phase.
You work with trail construction principles, material selection, feature development and drainage design, evaluating appropriate techniques and build levels based on terrain, sustainability goals and user experience. The module strengthens your ability to translate trail specifications into field implementation and coordinate construction teams.
It also addresses quality assurance, ethical and inclusive labour practices, inspection systems and structured maintenance strategies, ensuring projects are delivered safely and remain durable over time.
Weight: 20 credits
Teaching and in-person gatherings
The programme combines online teaching with in-person gatherings. The gatherings are normally organised 3 times per academic year and may last up to one working week.
Between gatherings, you participate in online teaching sessions held in the evenings, including lectures, supervision and group work, allowing you to combine studies with work. Teaching takes place in the learning platform Teams, where you receive close academic follow-up from lecturers and fellow students throughout the programme.
An updated schedule with detailed teaching times and gathering weeks is published on the student page prior to the start of the semester.
Mandatory attendance
Some in-person gatherings may include mandatory activities or attendance requirements. Specific requirements related to attendance and practical work are described in the course syllabus.
Information may be subject to change.
Karrieremuligheter
Career opportunities
This programme prepares you for professional roles in sustainable trail development, outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.
The programme is relevant for positions involving trail planning, project leadership, construction management and strategic maintenance planning – within municipalities, destination companies, consultancy firms and land management organisations.
Graduates may work as trail development coordinators, construction managers or advisors, and many use the competence to establish or further develop businesses or non-profit associations within trail building, maintenance and outdoor infrastructure projects.
You develop the ability to collaborate with engineers, environmental planners, contractors and public authorities, ensuring that trail projects deliver high-quality user experiences while meeting regulatory and sustainability requirements.
Har du noen spørsmål?
Do you have questions?
Do you find this study programme interesting, but are unsure whether it is right for you? We are happy to help you.
Contact us by email: vikenfs@afk.no
To be admitted to Trail Building Management, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Completed upper secondary education and hold a relevant trade or journeyman’s certificate, or
- Be at least 23 years of age and document a minimum of five years of relevant work experience.
Applicants applying on the basis of recognition of prior learning must document relevant vocational experience gained through employment, or through a combination of work experience and education. The experience must be clearly related to one or more of the following areas:
- Trail building or trail maintenance
- Outdoor recreation infrastructure
- Land or park management
- Landscape planning or landscape construction
- Forestry
Recognition of prior learning is assessed in accordance with Fagskolen Viken’s guidelines.
All applicants — regardless of admission route — must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to follow lectures, complete assignments and participate in both practical and theoretical learning activities. This corresponds to CEFR level B2 or equivalent.
You may apply with one of the following trade or vocational certificates:
- Construction machinery operator
- Road and construction worker
- Landscape gardener
- Gardener
- Forestry operator
- Mountain and quarry worker
- Agricultural worker
Applicants with other trade or journeyman’s certificates may be considered if the qualification is relevant to trail building, outdoor recreation infrastructure, land or park management, or comparable professional contexts.
Applicants who do not hold a relevant trade or journeyman’s certificate must apply on the basis of recognition of prior learning.