Ask two walkers what a public footpath means and you may get two answers: one about a line on a map, another about a stile in a hedge. Both are right, up to a point. In England and Wales, public rights of way are legal highways. The surface may be mud, tarmac or grass, but the right to pass is what matters. The type of right—on foot, on horseback, by bike or in a vehicle—depends on how the path is recorded. Knowing the difference saves arguments at gates and helps you pick routes that suit everyone in your group.
In England and Wales, most public rights of way fall into four categories. You will see them on Ordnance Survey maps and, often, on waymark discs. The colours are a handy clue, though not every council uses the same signs or maintenance.
You may walk. That is the core right. You can take a dog, though it should be under control and on a lead around livestock or where signs ask. You may push a pram or buggy where the path allows, but the legal right is a right on foot. You may not ride a horse or bike, and you may not drive a vehicle. If a footpath crosses a field, follow the line of the path, even if it is not obvious on the ground. If crops or mud make the route impossible to follow, report it to the highway authority rather than striking off across the field.
Walkers share with horse riders and cyclists. If you are on foot, you have as much right to be there as anyone. Cyclists should give way to walkers and horse riders, and it helps if everyone slows at blind corners. A bridleway is not a motor route. You may lead a horse, and you may cycle, but you cannot take a car or motorbike unless there is a separate vehicular right. Stiles should not normally block a bridleway; gates are more common, and they need to be wide enough for a horse. If you meet a horse, step to the side, speak calmly, and avoid sudden movements.
Restricted byways are quieter than the name suggests. They carry the same rights as a bridleway, plus horse-drawn carriages, but no motor vehicles. They often look like rough tracks or green lanes. For walkers, they can be lovely: wide, hedge-lined and usually free of traffic. You may meet a horse and carriage, a cyclist or another walker. Keep dogs close, as these routes often cross farmland and may have livestock nearby.
Byways open to all traffic are the most misunderstood. The name means exactly what it says: motor vehicles may use them, even if the track is unsurfaced and better suited to boots. In practice, many BOATs are used mainly by walkers, riders and cyclists, but you should expect the occasional 4x4, quad bike or trail motorcycle. Walkers have every right to be there. Drivers must be taxed, insured and road-legal; the route is still a highway. If you are walking, listen for engines on blind bends, especially in wet weather when ruts and puddles narrow the usable line.
Scotland does not use the same four labels in quite the same way. Under access rights, you can generally walk, cycle and ride on most land and inland water, provided you behave responsibly and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. There are exceptions: houses and gardens, fields with crops, some industrial sites, and places where access is restricted. Paths may be waymarked, but you are not limited to them in the same way. Northern Ireland has its own public path network and recording system. If you are planning a trip across a border or visiting from another part of the UK, check the local access authority or countryside charity for that country.
Start with a current Ordnance Survey map. The Explorer series marks public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic. The definitive map and statement held by the local highway authority is the legal record in England and Wales. It is not always the same as what is on the ground, and some routes may be unrecorded or subject to disputes. Waymarking helps: yellow arrows often mean footpath, blue bridleway, purple restricted byway, red byway open to all traffic. Treat colours as clues, not gospel. If a sign is missing, a gate is locked or a path is ploughed over, note the location and report it to the highway authority. Do not confront a landowner; a calm report is more likely to fix the problem.
Match the route to the group. A public footpath may be perfect for walkers but impossible for cyclists; a bridleway may be muddy and churned by hooves; a BOAT may be quiet for miles and then busy with vehicles. Check the weather, wear footwear with grip, and carry a map and a charged phone. Follow the relevant countryside code: leave gates as you find them, take litter home, keep dogs under control, and give livestock and horses space.
If you are unsure of your rights on a particular path, or if access is blocked, contact the local highway authority or access officer. For legal disputes, seek advice from a solicitor or a specialist access organisation. The law can be complex, but the principle for walkers is simple: know the line, respect other users, and enjoy the route you are entitled to use.
Photo: Scott Fenwick / Pexels
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