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Walking for you

Walking in the countryside

What are the guidelines for walking on paths and in the wider countryside?


Photo: Mosaic Project/BEN/CNP

In England and Wales, you have a legal right to walk on public rights of way -- footpaths, bridleways (also open to cyclists and horse riders) and byways (where you may also encounter off-road motor vehicles). These are shown on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps (see Now you're walking), and should be signed where they leave the road. They may be 'waymarked' with coloured arrows along the route: yellow for footpaths, blue for bridleways and red for byways. There are also 'permissive paths' where the landowner permits public use.

New rights of access to certain areas of land – mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land – have recently been introduced in England and Wales. In these defined areas you have a right to wander at will, using any path or even walking away from the path. There are also areas such as public parks and open spaces and many areas of land owned by organisations such as the National Trust, Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust where wider access already exists. These areas are known as 'access land' and are shown on OS Explorer maps, but closures and restrictions apply in some cases: check with the Countryside Agency Countryside Access website or the Countryside Council for Wales before setting out.

New laws in Scotland have confirmed the traditional right of access to most land so long as you behave responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, published by Scottish Natural Heritage, gives guidance on responsible behaviour.

Wherever you go, please follow the Countryside Code in England and Wales or the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in Scotland.

Can I take a pushchair on a footpath?

Yes, although there’s no guarantee that the path will be suitable for this: it may be narrow, bumpy or interrupted by awkward stiles. For help on finding suitable routes, see our advice to people with mobility problems  under Walking for people with disabilities.

Can I take my dog?

In England and Wales you can take a dog on public rights of way but you must keep it under close control, especially near livestock. You can usually take a dog on ‘access land’ as explained above provided you keep it on a short lead with a fixed length of 2m, between 1 March and 31 July, and at any time when around livestock. On paths and areas of countryside that are open by permission you may be asked to keep your dog on a lead or not bring a dog at all. Check for local signs.

In Scotland you can walk with a dog provided you keep it under proper control, especially near livestock. Don't take it into fields where there are young animals, or into fields of vegetables and fruit unless there is a clear path, in which case stick to the path. Keep dogs under close control or on a short lead between April and July in areas such as moorlands, forests, grasslands, loch shores and the seashore to avoid disturbing breeding birds.

Who is supposed to look after footpaths and countryside access?

Footpaths and access matters are the responsibility of local authorities (councils), except in national parks where the national park authority usually takes responsibility. In parts of England that still have both county and district councils, the county council has the main responsibility. Help keep things clear for other walkers by reporting to the relevant authority problems such as obstructions, illegal notices discouraging the public or overgrown, ploughed or cropped paths. You can also report footpath problems online or using our report forms.

Pages in Walking for You

See also

Walking for you is a Ramblers promoting walking project. Read more about promoting walking work in Great Britain.