“Hey! Do you know the difference between a footpath and a bridleway?“
Sounds familiar? On the off chance that like me you have been harassing your hiking buddies with that inquiry however never really got a definitive answer, then this guide is for you. Or alternatively, if you are the hiking mate who is consistently asked for the distinction between the two and you don’t have any acquaintance with it, this guide is also for you!
French me on a hike reading the sign: “Bride … Way…”
Why do they call it a “Bride Way“? Is it an old and lost tradition to take the bride through a countryside path? Believe it or not, when I first started hiking in England, that is the means by which I used to call them: “Bride Ways“. Silly me! It took me some time (and laughs from my friends) to realise that I was reading it incorrectly.
I began making an inquiry or two but all I’ve got were confused answers: “Anyway, you are a hiker so you can use all of them, it does not matter for you to know the difference“.
Fair enough, but not enough. With a total right of way network of 187 700 km in England, including 146 000 km of footpath and 32 000 of bridleway, it is important to know and understand the difference between footpath and bridleway, and any other types of way.
If as well you want to know, keep reading, as I pulled together a detailed guide below.
What is a “right of way”?
Let’s start from the beginning by clarifying what a right of way is.
In England and Wales, to the exception of the 12 inner boroughs of London and the City of London, right of way refers to paths and tracks including those on privately owned lands that can be accessed by the public anytime they want. It is a legally protected right. Note that the rules are different in Scotland and in this article I will only go through the rights in England and Wales.
Footpath, bridleway, byway … all the types of path fall under the category of “highways” – not to be confused with the American English meaning of highway. This time it refers to all types of ways from small to large.
So who decides which paths are right of way?
In England and Wales, paths and tracks are dedicated right of way by the landowner. Additionally, if the public has used ‘as of right’ a path and has not been challenged by the landowner for 20 years or more, it becomes a ‘right of way’.
Difference between Footpath and Bridleway Explained
Footpath
A footpath is a path accessible to walkers and wheelchair users, including powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
You can find public footpaths everywhere, including across private grounds, hills and mountains. They are usually simple tracks without any surfacing material over them. The owner has the duty to maintain the tracks and ensure your safe passage. Additionally, it is your responsibility to make sure that you do not litter the path and you do not deteriorate it by climbing over fences instead of using the gate or stiles provided or by going off tracks and walk on the crops.
Bridleway
A bridleway is like a footpath but this time you can ride and/or lead a horse and cycle on it. It worth noting that donkeys or mules as classed as horses so they are allowed on bridleways. Because you are sharing the way with others, there are a few priority rules to respect.
Cyclists are allowed on bridleways as long as they give way to horses, which can be easily frightened and walkers (who can be easily scared too). Initially, bridleways were designed to allow horses to pass one another. Those paths have been there for a long time, some of them are said to be dated from the days of prehistoric men. Nevertheless, this is to emphasise the fact that they were not designed to include bicycles as well. In fact, it is only since 1968 that riding a bicycle is allowed on a bridleway. This is why it might feel sometimes a little bit overcrowded on a bridleway, and if you have the choice prefer the footpath for more safety and tranquillity. It is also worth noting that because of the traffic on bridleways, they can get extremely muddy if it has been raining.
How do I know if I am on a footpath or a bridleway?
Unlike common belief, you cannot differentiate a footpath from a bridleway based on how wide the path is. The only case where it is possible to differentiate them on this basis is when a farmer plants a crop. He must reestablish the path according to the following guidelines:
- 1m width for a footpath
- 2m width for a bridleway
- 3m width for the protected strip around the edge of the field
Besides the above, there is no rule regarding how wide the path should be. There are few ways for you to know what path you are walking on. First, if it has been raining, look at the tracks on the path. It will be obvious whether or not you are on a path where you need to share with horses and cyclists. Second, take a look at your map. If you are using an OS map, a footpath will be represented by short green dashed lines and bridleways by long green dashed lines. Third, at the signalisation. The signs have a colour code for England and Wales:
- Footpath: Yellow
- Bridleway: Blue
- Byway: Red
- Restricted Byway: Purple
This way, you would never be confused again!
Can horses gallop on a bridleway?
Sharing the path does not come without some risks with cyclists sometimes going excessively fast. But what can be said about horses? Can they gallop?
There is no definite response to that question but common sense will be to say that it is not allowed. The primary reason for it is that it represents a threat for the others users on the path. The second reason, less thought of, is that galloping on the bridleways may harm the path and the vegetation. Nonetheless, it is not unfrequent to meet with riders galloping, so stay alert when you are walking on a bridleway.
Penalties
As hikers, as much as we would love that cycling on a footpath be a criminal offence, sadly it is not. If a cyclist uses a footpath it is anything but a trespass which is a civil offence, unless he has received permission from the landowner. On the contrary, cycling on the pavement is a criminal offence.
Unlike cycling on a footpath, driving a motored vehicle such as a motorbike or a car on a footpath is classed as a criminal offence, unless the driver has been given expressed permission from the landowner.
You can refer to the table below to see all the different types of paths
Other types of path
There are other kinds of ways that as a walker you will be using during your hikes. Thusly, it is important that you know of them and who you will be sharing the path with as well as your right.
Byway
Commonly called byways, their real name is actually Byway Open to All Traffic (B.O.A.T). They can be used by the same users as bridleways, such as walkers, horses and cyclists, as well as drivers of motored vehicles like motorcycles and cars. Horses drawn vehicles are likewise permitted on byways.
Restricted Byway
A Restricted Byway is equivalent to a byway to the distinction it can’t be utilized by motored propelled vehicles like motorbikes and cars.
Permissive Path
Permissive paths are classed as an unofficial right of way. Their role is to connect stretches of footpaths to stop walkers from using the roads. You can find them when a landowner gives permission to the public to walk across his land as a result of an agreement with the local authorities.
As a result, the landowner can redirect or shut off the path whenever it suits him without official procedures being involved. Additionally, the landowner makes his own rules as to who is to use the path and can permit horses but not cyclists or the other way around for example.
They are indicated by a sign or a placard and ought to indicate that there is not right of way and who is allowed to use them.
Right of Way with no visible path
Sometimes it happens that you enter a field and cannot see the path indicated on your map. Those are called Right of Way with no visible path. No need to panic! Simply gander at the shoe prints on the ground or a change in colour on the grass to guess the path from one gate to another. This tends to happen when you are going across glades where animals are grazing. Sometimes they can even stand (or be lying) where the path is, preventing you from going forward. In that case, try to walk as far away from them as possible to avoid scaring them (and getting hurt if they react). If in doubt, walk on the edge of the fields.
Right (or Freedom) to Roam
The right (or freedom) to roam means that you can wander across some lands without using the path. Those lands are designated “open” or “access” lands and they include mountains, downs, moor, heath and privately owned lands. You are permitted to walk, run, watch wildlife and climb. However, you are not allowed to ride a horse or a bike or drive a motor propelled vehicle without the consent of the landowner. On the off chance that a bridleway crosses through a designated access land, horses and bicycles can use it but, unlike walkers, they are not allowed to come off the path.
Finally, landowners can close the admittance to the public for up to 28 days per year for things like maintenance. So check before you travel!
Final thoughts …
When planning your hikes, it is important to check what sort of paths you will be taking. The more you stay on a footpath, the better. It will mean tranquillity and safety so you can enjoy the countryside better. Also, make sure that the paths you are wanting to take are not closed off if they are permissive paths or on access lands.
Stay safe and enjoy 🙂
If you enjoyed this article or have some additional information about right of way in England and Wales you would like to share, please let me know in the comment section below.
Now you know everything about right of way, why not testing your knowledge on the following hikes?
10 Beautiful Walks Close To London You Didn’t Know Existed
Best Walks In Kent: 7 Hikes For All Levels
