a method of building a trail that forms a zig-zag of trails up a mountain. The strategy is to prevent soil erosion and to make the climb easier. Switchbacks are not made to be short cutted although some people do, which damages the trail. Switchbacks are often much appreciated by hikers.
A method of negotiating a steep grade in a confined area. This is accomplished with a series of switches requiring the train to change direction.
A switchback is when the trail at a steep section zigzags back and forth up the mountain instead of going straight up. They are used to prevent erosion. They can make a trail easier or more annoying to climb depending on your perspective.
Zigzagging trail up the side of a steep ridge, hill or mountain. Allows for a more gradual and less strenuous ascent.
An amusing trail game intended to startle the hiker following the player. Requires overhanging twigs, greenbrier vines, etc. Any number can play.
a turn on a hill that is too steep to be climbed without zig-zagging.
a reversal in trail direction
In steep terrain, trails often zigzag up the hillside. The point where the trail turns nearly 180 degrees to go back across the hillside is a switchback. Such a trail is said to switchback up a hillside.
A sharp turn in a trail (usually constructed on a slope of more than 15%) to reverse the direction of travel and to gain elevation. The landing is the turning portion of the switchback. The approaches are the trail sections upgrade and downgrade from the landing.
A rail line that zig-zags down the side of a hill in order that the track is not too steep for the locomotive to pull the loaded cars.
a horizontal road curve used for surmounting the grade of a step hill, usually with a small radius (15-10 m) and curving 180 degrees.
a turn sharper than 90 degrees. Switchbacks are found mainly on hills that are too steep to be ascended (or descended) using a direct path.
Used to describe turns that are around 180 degrees.
A very tight turn on a road or trail. Also, what a rider does when making one of these tight turns.
A sharp reversal in the direction of the trail, allowing the tread to maintain a reasonable grade as it climbs a steep hillside.
A tight, zigzag turn on the face of a mountain, either uphill or downhill.