Footpath

This article is about paths for use by pedestrians that are not next to a road. For paths beside roads, see Sidewalk. For other uses, see Footpath (disambiguation).

An urban footpath in Ipswich, United Kingdom

A rural footpath with a stile in Derbyshire, United Kingdom

A footpath (also pedestrian way, walking trail, nature trail) is a type of thoroughfare that is intended for use by pedestrians but not other forms of traffic, such as motorized vehicles. They can be paths within an urban area that offer more expedient or safer routes, or rural paths, such as a trail through the countryside.

Terminology

The terms shared-use path, separated-use path or multi-use path may be used if pedestrians and other forms of traffic make use of the same thoroughfare. Footpath can also be used to describe a sidewalk in some regions.

In some regions, such as England and Wales, there are rights of way on which pedestrians have a legally protected right to travel.

National parks, nature preserves, conservation areas and other protected wilderness areas may have trails that are restricted to pedestrians.

Construction materials

Footpaths may be constructed to facilitate the use of footpaths. Many surfaces are used using "masonry, brick, poured or modular unit concrete, cut stone or wood boardwalk. Also crushed rock, decomposed granite, fine wood chips.

Types of footpaths

Footpaths: A designed network shown in blue provides easy accessibility around a residential neighborhood.

Footpaths can be located in many settings for varied uses and experiences.

• As a few examples, these can include:
  • Parks: for means of convenient, recreational, and aesthetic, movement in and through public spaces, urban parks, neighborhood parks, linear parks, botanic gardens, and regional parks.
  • in Gardens and Designed Landscapes: in private gardens, at school-university and business park campuses; and at park visitors centers as natural history interpretive nature trails in designed wildlife gardens.
  • in Sculpture gardens and Open air museums, as Sculpture trails and historic interpretive trails.
  • in a wilderness setting, such as a day-Trail or long-distance trail within a protected nature reserve, such as a national park, from a trailhead.
  • as Jogging paths, horse trails, and mountain biking routes; and
  • as disability handicapped and wheelchair accessible paths meeting ADA specifications in sensory gardens and all the above settings.

See also

Desire path Mass path Pedestrian crossing Pedestrian zone Rail trail Ramblers Right-of-way

Sidewalk Trail Underground city Walkability Walking Walkway