{"id":1750,"date":"2021-07-06T13:54:12","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T13:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theflamingohiker.com\/?p=1750"},"modified":"2021-07-06T13:59:33","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T13:59:33","slug":"difference-between-footpath-and-bridleway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theflamingohiker.com\/fr\/difference-between-footpath-and-bridleway\/","title":{"rendered":"Diff\u00e9rence entre chemin et sentier \u00e9questre : Le guide ultime du marcheur"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSalut ! Connaissez-vous<\/i><\/span>w<\/em> la diff\u00e9rence entre un sentier et une voie cavali\u00e8re<\/i><\/span>?<\/strong>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c7a vous dit quelque chose ? Si, comme moi, vous harcelez vos amis randonneurs avec cette question mais que vous n'avez jamais obtenu de r\u00e9ponse d\u00e9finitive, alors ce guide est pour vous. Ou alors, si vous \u00eates l'ami randonneur \u00e0 qui l'on demande constamment la diff\u00e9rence entre les deux et que vous ne la connaissez pas, ce guide est aussi pour vous !<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Difference<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

French me on a hike reading the sign: “Bride … Way…”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do they call it a “Bride Way<\/em>“? 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<\/em>“. Silly me! It took me some time (and laughs from my friends) to realise that I was reading it incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>“. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If as well you want to know, keep reading, as I pulled together a detailed guide below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a “right of way”?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start from the beginning by clarifying what a right of way is. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So who decides which paths are right of way? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difference between Footpath and Bridleway Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Footpath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A footpath is a path accessible to walkers and wheelchair users, including powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Footpath
Footpath crossing a private farmland<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bridleway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bridleway
Bridleway in Marlow<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How do I know if I am on a footpath or a bridleway?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n