Greenways, Trails & Paths

Off-road trails, paths, and greenways are win-win solutions, and they often become the backbone of a community’s bikeway or greenspace system. Our trail projects run the gamut from long, linear paved corridors to soft-surface mountain bike trails, hiking trails and even cross-country ski trails. Our expert trail designers are ready to solve the unique technical, environmental and political challenges posed by your project. We see each trail project as a slice of America’s landscape and culture. Each improvement enhances a community’s unique characteristics.

Alta provides complete trail master planning services, including design, alternatives analysis, environmental documentation, property acquisition strategies, accurate cost estimation, maintenance and management plans, and funding strategies. We excel in finding design solutions to the unique challenges found on trails and have completed, planned, designed, and implemented more than 3500 miles of bikeways, walkways, and trails.

Our multi-disciplinary staff includes planners and designers with specialized expertise in land use laws, permitting, site analysis, usage projection, trail-roadway intersections, public involvement and a host of other key skills. We also provide complete mapping, signing, and construction management services.

As with all our projects, we can take a trail or greenway idea from conception to completion. We can help at every step, including feasibility analysis, master planning, cost estimation, phasing, public involvement and funding strategies. We’ve written more than $50 million in successful grant applications. We develop bid documents, handle permitting and manage construction. We can write code language, develop signage and mapping, and facilitate public and agency involvement. We’re comfortable dealing with easements, public right-of-ways, railways, permitting and other issues associated with these projects. 

Our experience includes a wide range of environments including greenways, rail corridors, rails-to-trails, street corridors, and multi-use hiking and seasonal-use trails in environmentally sensitive areas, urban core areas, highway corridors and in parks and rural and industrial areas. We strive to enrich the trail user experience through a design identity that responds to the particular needs and opportunities of the project environment.


Featured Projects


Waterbury Naugatuck River Greenway
Alta was selected to lead the planning effort for a 22-mile corridor along the Naugatuck River in Western Connecticut involving community outreach in five towns and cities. 
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Great Rivers Greenway Update
In 2004, the Board of Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) approved its first regional plan - in interconnected system of greenways, parks, and trails throughout GRG's 1,216 sq. mile service area.
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Pacific Crest Trail Land Protection Inventory
The project objective was to provide an inventory and overview of the parcels that need acquisition to establish the trail and protect the experience of trail users on this legendary 2,650 mile scenic trail from Mexico to Canada.
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Mojave Riverwalk Trail
This proposed 9-mile trail will follow the Mojave River, passing along areas rich in cultural and natural history. It provides an alternative transportation link between downtown Victorville and Victor Valley College.
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Alta’s Technical Services
Specific ways we can help you with planning and design.
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