Trail Math

A short and incomplete list of equations and calculators useful for trails.

Math (elsewhere) On This Site

Layout Equations

Grades

\%Slope=\frac{Rise}{Run}\times100

Slope\textdegree=(\frac{Rise}{Run})\tan^{-1}

or Slope\textdegree=(\frac{\theta\%}{100})\tan^{-1}

Rise\:or\:Fall=b=(Running\:Grade)\sin\theta\textdegree

note: Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) 7.4.3.2 “The cross slope [out slope] shall not exceed 1:20 (5 percent). Where the surface is paved or is elevated above the natural ground, the cross slope shall not be steeper than 1:48 (2 percent).”

Half Rule

in actuality the half rule is really equal to and less than…but it’s really not a “rule” as much as a suggestion

Half\;Rule=Slope\;Grade\leqslant\frac{Fall\;Line}{2}

OutSlope\;Half\;Rule=OutSlope\;Grade\geqslant\frac{Fall\;Line}{4}

or OutSlope\;Half\;Rule=OutSlope\;Grade\geqslant\frac{Running\;Grade}{2}

Trail Length

A rough estimate of the trail length for a segment based on elevation gain or loss (typically the average grade should be less than 10%):

Trail\;Distance=\frac{Elevation\;Change}{Desired\;\%Grade\;as\;decimal}

Steps

Excel-trail-step-calculatorv2Download
hi-res-PDF-bridge-span-and-step-estimatesDownload

Turns

180\textdegree\;Turn\;Length= Circumference\;/2=(2\pi\times r)/2

180\textdegree\;Turn\;Grade= (\%Slope\;Turn\;Descends/100)tan^{-1})/(\pi/2)

180° Turn Grades? Rise/Run @ Diameter vs. Rise/Run @ Circumference:

180-turn-slope
hi-res-PDF-180-turn-slope-gradeDownload

Turn G’s

Feeling Heavy:

Turn\;or\;Transition\;G's= 1 + (velocity\;in\;ft/sec)^{2})/(r\;in\;ft)(32.174)

Feeling Light:

Roller\;or\;Crest\;G's= 1 - (velocity\;in\;ft/sec)^{2})/(r\;in\;ft)(32.174)

More on the complicated machinations of turning on a bike:

I hope to publish some nomograms in the future for some of the above math applications on this and other pages.

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