Why Do Paths Go The Crooked Way Round

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I often use public footpaths and rights of way as short cuts to get from A to B and just to enjoy a scenic walk, but I do wonder why many paths meander and curve without going in straight lines when there is no visible obstruction to them doing so. With older paths, there may have been obstacles that have been removed since the path was laid or marked out but many new paths seem to twist and turn needlessly. The temptation is to follow the route the path ought to take and walk on the grass, and this in itself starts off unofficial footpaths. In Britain in open countryside, walkers have the right to roam though many keep to organized paths anyway, while a public footpath cutting through private land has to be followed, and this can lead to path used a lot being badly eroded in themselves. In Bristol’s Stoke Gifford, in the UK the Council government are so worried by erosion to stone footpaths that they want to charge runners and joggers a levy tax toll for running on the paths – a move rightly universally condemned by just about everyone not on the Council there. It is an unenforceable law criticising anyone moving faster than an average walking pace. You can imagine the court case defence statements; “I was being chased by a big dog, your honour.” Followed by “ you are guilty and so is the dog.” Our footpaths might meander, but nothing like the minds of our politicians. Arthur Chappell