How Long Does a Trail Take to Make? (Or: How Long Is a Piece of String?)

One of the questions we get asked most often is: “How long does it take to produce a trail?”

And the honest answer is… it depends. (Yes, we know, that sounds suspiciously like “how long is a piece of string?”). But here’s the thing: our trails aren’t whipped up on a production line. Every trail is sculpted by hand, manufactured by hand, and painted by hand. That means each one takes a little longer than people might expect.

We once delivered a 30-piece trail in just 4 months (which we still consider a heroic feat, and possibly deserving of cake). But for a more typical project—say a 12-piece trail—you’re looking at around 30 weeks from initial concept to the big reveal. For larger projects, say 30-40 pieces, you want to be looking at 12 months +

Why so long? Because:

✨ Sculpting takes time.

✨ Manufacturing takes time.

✨ Painting takes time.

✨ And making sure everything is beautiful, safe, and ready for the public? That takes time too.

And here’s something else worth remembering:

It’s not just the making that takes time—sometimes it’s the talking. Many of our trails are co-funded by the local business community, and that means building relationships with sponsors and stakeholders. Those conversations, negotiations, and cups of coffee don’t happen overnight. So, factor in some lead-in time for that part of the journey too.

Of course, if you’re in a hurry, we can speed things up. But that means expanding our team, stretching our processes, and working at full sprint—which is why we apply a “quick turnaround” fee. Think of it like booking express shipping on something precious and handmade: you’ll get it faster, but it takes extra magic to make that happen.

So, next time you’re planning a trail, just remember: talk to us about a realistic production timeline. Future You (and your audience) will thank you for it.