Building precision crafted trails to connect you with the landscape

Easy walking trails across tough mountainous terrain to MTB flow trails and ATV access trails

The Bottom line - Our mission is to build trails that bring you joy

The Process

Great trails begin with understanding the land and how people will us it, the details flow from there

Walk the land - Discuss your goals, explore the property, and look at terrain, existing access and places you want to connect
Find the line - Lay out a route around the landscape, with attention to grades, drainage, intended use, and the experience along the way
Shape the trail - Cut and limb vegetation along the corridor, always focusing on minimal disturbances to the forest. Build the tread and shape the transition, drainage, and features to fit the route and its surroundings
Finish the details - Refine the trail surface, walk the finished trail, clean up all waste and discuss care and maintenance for the seasons ahead

Design Considerations

Walking/Hiking

The eyes can wander when out for a hike. The emphasis is slower, and the natural blend of the trail with the landscape is most present. Routing trails nearby striking trees, rock forms, open meadows and scenic lookouts are key elements we prioritize. Property details are noted during the site visit and discussed with clients

MTB & E-MTB

Trail design is mainly weighted by the ability level and the vision of the client, with trail sustainability, ease of use, and safety being the highest priorities. Riders all have very different opinions on what they look for in a trail. There is so much that goes into shaping a trail that optimizes to a specific rider. From overall trail steepness and average speed calculations, berm radii and cross sectional steepness to support rider forces are considered, as well as adaptability for slower or more cautious riders. Jump design is also a major factor we consider, factoring jump radii to user-friendly landing zones that adapt to a large deviation in rider speeds and lift off the the jump take-off.

ATV/UTV Trails

These trails generally are designed for access, safe commuting across properties and sight seeing tours. We can design more track-shaped trails for dirtbiking, electric dirtbikes and faster ATV’s. Overall goal for the trail is important here, understanding if ease of use, or scenic outlooks and engagement with the trail are the priorities.

Let’s Build

From conceptualizing to constructing, we’re ready to design your outdoor dream. We promise a client-centric approach that empowers ideas, eases concerns, and delivers premium craftsmanship

Offering free site visits and quotes. Contact for a list of client referrals or to visit past projects.

About

Dan Turczyn - Owner | Operator

Born and raised in Bozeman, MT - Spending free time on trails, horseback riding, and dirt-biking, with continued obsession for Mountain Biking and Running.

I’m obsessed with building highly functional, and enjoyable user interfaces. In graduate school, I dove deep into research on running shoe design effects on human kinematics and kinetics, and ski touring gear design for optimal efficiency, as well as route selection during SKIMO races.

Trails are a unique experience, where the UX of the trail and the surrounding technically independent, yet work with each other to deliver a unique experience to the user. In the modern day, trails are a way to bring our attention back to focus, to experience with those next to us our here and our now.

Bachelors: Exercise Physiology, Pre-Med, Montana State University, 2016-2021

MSc: Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, Focus in Biomechanics, 2021-2023

Services

Sustainable Trail Design and Development
Trail Renovation + Restoration Custom Bridge Installation

Locations

Montana
Wyoming
Idaho

Contact Phone: 406-548-5425 dan@cottonwoodltd.com