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Trails and Walkways

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training fact sheet about using constructed trails and walkways to manage livestock movement, reduce erosion, stabilize walking surfaces, and support integrated conservation practices on farms.

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Updated:

January 14, 2026

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Walkway before and after remediation — Before and after remediation. ACAP Project. Photo credit: Westmoreland Conservation District

Trails and Walkways can Support Conservation

Trails and walkways are constructed paths with a stabilized surface to facilitate the movement of animals and/or agricultural vehicles and help concentrate traffic in designated areas.

Animal walkway years after remediation — Animal walkway several years after establishment. Photo credit: Erin Trouba, CACAT

Do you notice any of these issues on your farm?

Erosion caused by livestock traffic
Bare areas in pastures
Muddy barnyard
Animal health impacts from muddy conditions

Trails and walkways have many benefits

Manage movement of livestock
Protect recovering pastures
Stabilize walking surfaces for livestock
Reduce erosion

Animal walkway and gate — Trails and walkways can indirectly connect to heavy use areas through carefully designed gates and fencing. Photo credit: Erin Trouba, CACAT

Other practices are associated with trails and walkways

Trails and walkways are often part of a comprehensive system involving several conservation practices. Some commonly associated practices include:

Heavy use area protections
Stream crossings
Prescribed grazing
Fencing

gravel trail — Gravel trail leading to a pasture. Photo credit: Patrick McCarthy, State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Gravel trail with stream crossing — Trails and walkways are often designed along with stabilized stream crossings. Photo credit: Patrick McCarthy, State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Many design choices are possible

The design of a trail or walkway will be dependent on factors relevant to each farm, including livestock type and numbers, as well as soil type and slope. Trails and walkways typically use an aggregate or mulch to stabilize the ground. Fencing is used to create a perimeter of the trail or walkway.

Assistance with design, obtaining permits, and construction is available (see URLs at the end of this fact sheet for more information).

What maintenance is required?

Trails and walkways that are used by livestock need to be regularly cleaned of manure and soil that accumulate on the surface. Aggregates or mulch on trails and walkways may need to be inspected over time to ensure proper slope and prevent areas of erosion from channelized flow.

Interested in having a trail or walkway?

Trails and walkways are eligible for funding through several conservation programs administered by the State Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additionally, several local funding sources may be available through organizations such as County Conservation Districts or local nongovernmental organizations.

For more information, reach out to staff at the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, NRCS, or your local conservation district office.

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Practice Code: 575

Prepared by Erin Trouba and Jake Tomlinson, Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training.

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