A walk in the woods can do wonders for your well-being. This kind of stroll is good exercise, helps you relax, and gives you a chance to spot wildlife and enjoy the scenery.

You can always hit the trail in the state park or another public venue, but you may also be able to do so in the comfort of your own backyard. If your property includes some unimproved woodland, you can establish your own path and take a ramble on it whenever you need a break.

You don't need acres and acres of forest, either. Lisa Densmore, writing for the National Forest Association, says smaller parcels of land may restrict how a trail can be used, but you can still create an enjoyable trail in a more compressed area.

Of course, you'll have to plan out the trail to get the best experience and prepare for some hard work, along with ongoing maintenance. Yet the benefits of having a woodland trail accessible just steps from your home will be everlasting.

Planning

Get a sense of the land you'll be working with before you start the trail. Carl Wiedeman and Ron Neadle, writing for the Department of Natural Resources at the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, say you should first walk the perimeter of the land and make sure the boundaries are marked. This sets a firm area where you'll be working and ensure that you won't accidentally trespass on a neighboring property.

If you haven't explored the woods on your own, take a few walks to see what they have to discover. This exploration will clue you in to any interesting features, such as scenic vistas or old cellar holes, that a trail should ideally visit. It can also let you know about any problematic sites, such as swampy areas.

Certain areas should be avoided. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture says trails should stay as close as possible to natural or human-created edges, since this will avoid the habitat disruption caused by running a path through an undisturbed area. The Climate, Forests & Woodlands Extension, a part of the Cooperative Extension System, says the path should not run over poorly drained areas, which will be less stable and harder to cross.

Use a map or aerial photography to sketch out a potential trail. A topographical map from the United States Geological Survey can be particularly useful, as it will let you know where the terrain may be too steep to feasibly run a path.

The walk through your backyard wilderness won't be very stimulating if you don't make an interesting trail. Make a meandering route rather than a straight one, which is not only more boring but also more prone to erosion. You can also keep the trail stable by keeping its slope gentle, at a grade of no more than 10 percent.

Clearing a trail

Even when you know where the trail will run, it's not quite time to start clearing out brush. Kathy Purdy, writing for the site Cold Climate Gardening, says you should start by getting some flagging tape and marking the route. You might want to pick up a few different colors for different purposes, such as using one hue to mark trees or undergrowth that need to be removed.

Decide how large the trail should be. The Climate, Forests & Woodlands Extension says the path should be as small as possible, and that a width of two to four feet is usually sufficient. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture recommends clearing about two feet on either side of the path to allow for easy passage; vary the widths in areas of dense vegetation to avoid creating a tunnel effect. You'll also need to clear tree limbs and other overhead obstacles to a height of about eight feet.

When clearing the trail, start by removing limbs, shrubs, and small trees that are blocking the way. You'll also want to rake debris out of the path. Purdy says a simple pair of hand pruners is enough to get started on clearing obstructions, though you'll later need to use loppers, saws, or other tools.

Once the small obstacles have been removed, concentrate on any larger growth that should be cleared out. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture says these steps include cutting down large trees, uprooting stumps, taking out large rocks, and moving soil to level the trail.

The trail route should be designed to minimize erosion, but some water diversion measures may be necessary for some paths. Wiedeman and Neadle say these include culverts and waterbars, which are obstacles placed across the path to help redirect water flow.

If you want the trail to remain accessible while traversing more difficult terrain, you'll need to commit to more effort at the outset. A bridge or boardwalk is useful for crossing streams or wet areas. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture says switchbacks, climbing causeways, or steps will assist with ascents up steep slopes.

Consider bringing in a seating option to invite hikers to take a break at an attractive location. Purdy says benches work well for this purpose, or even a swing suspended from a stout tree branch.

Be prepared for a long-term effort. Clearing a lengthy trail and building any accessory features often requires several weeks of effort.

Maintenance

Once the trail is established, you'll need to make sure it remains in good condition. Densmore says trails that see heavier use, such as frequent mountain bike riding, will naturally require attention more frequently. However, maintenance is usually not too onerous and can be completed on a few days out of the year.

Keep an eye out for any problems during your outings on the trail. You may need to cut back encroaching tree branches, repair a washed-out section of the route, or cut through a tree that has fallen across the path.

Look out for any potentially troublesome issues alongside the trail. Wiedeman and Neadle says dead trees near the route should be proactively felled.

Prune back any shrubs or saplings that are getting too close to the trail, cutting them at the ground level to avoid tripping hazards. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture says you should also remove debris from the path and fill in any low spots.

If a section of the trail is prone to sogginess and water damage, consider rerouting it along a more amenable route. However, the issue can sometimes remedy itself over time if the trail section is short enough, and being patient can be a favorable alternative to a labor-intensive new trail clearing effort.