Public Rights of Way

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Public Rights of Way

By Jonathan Elder

Published on March 29, 2021

10 min read

Did you know, OS show over 220,000 km of public rights of way on our maps? Approximately 170,000 km of these are footpaths and 40,000 km are bridleways. Over 4,600 km are National Trails and 30,900 km are recreational routes!

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What is a Public Right of Way?

A public right of way is a legally protected route over land that the public has the right to use, even if the land is privately owned. Some will be truly ancient, following paths created before roads existed. Others are much more recent, created to encourage walking or cycling.

You will see them all over England & Wales, while in Scotland they are not needed under the Outdoor Access, which lets you walk any path (with a few restrictions).

We’re often asked why a public right of way shown on our map doesn’t match a visible path on the ground. This is because public rights of way information is sent to us by local authorities, and a right of way doesn’t necessarily mean a usable footpath on the ground.

We’re also often frequently asked about blocked or overgrown rights of way. The local authority has the the power to enforce a right of way or divert one, such as to go around new development. If any changes on our maps are required, they will will notify us of the revised routes, which will be reflected in future editions of our maps.

As well as rights of way, we also map permissive footpaths and bridleways as well as byways. You should also be aware of area such as Open Access Land and Coastal Margins. Don’t know the key difference or the symbol for each type? You’re in the right place to find out!

We know the different symbols for public rights of way may get confusing, so we have broken down each type. Please note, these symbols are taken from our 1:25000 (Explorer) and/or 1:50000 (Landranger) mapping.

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Footpath

Footpath symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

The green dashed lines (on OS Explorer maps) or pink dashed lines (on OS Landranger maps) are footpaths with a public right of way. They are legally protected routes that the public may use by foot. Local authorities hold and maintain the definitive map and statement of Rights of Way in their area. These are the legal documents for the status, alignment and width of rights of way. If an amendment is required, we rely on Local Authorities to pass this on to us so we can then revise our maps.

Footpaths may cross private land, and in such cases the footpath must be kept to as the public only have the right to walk along the footpath. If a landowner wishes to divert a public right of way they must obtain a legal order from their local authority. Footpaths are usually signposted with yellow arrows.

Bridleway

Bridleway symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

As with footpaths, bridleways are legally protected routes that the public can use on foot or on horseback. While cyclists are permitted to use bridleways, the Countryside Act 1968 states there is no obligation to facilitate cyclists on the routes and they must give way to other users. Bridleways are usually signposted with blue arrows.

Byway Open To All Traffic

Byway open to all traffic symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

These are open to all forms of traffic – pedestrians, horse riders and carriage drivers, cyclists, and car and other motor vehicle drivers. These routes are often marked with red arrows.

Restricted Byway

Restricted byway symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

On these routes there are restrictions on how you can travel the route. You are permitted to use the route on foot, horseback, bicycle or horse drawn carriage. You cannot use any motorised vehicles along this route. These routes are often marked with plum-coloured arrows.

Other Routes With Public Access (ORPA)

Other route with public access symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

These are accessible by the public and either join rights of way together or suggest how rights of way can be accessed from nearby roads. ORPAs usually indicate that a route exists on a Highway Authorities’ “List of Streets” that are maintained at public expense. They are usually Unclassified Roads and can be used by all types of user. However, since their exact status and accessibility can vary, it’s advisable to check with the local highway authority for any restrictions before use.

Recreational Route

Recreational route symbol in OS Explorer (top) and OS Landranger (bottom) maps

These are routes created by local authorities, Government agencies or volunteer organisations. They mainly follow existing rights of way and are signposted typically by whichever organisation created the route. If the route is also an existing right of way, it will be maintained by a local authority. Any sections that are not part of existing rights of way may be maintained by the corresponding organisation. Local authorities give us permission to show these routes, but they may not actively promote the routes or give them priority over other rights of way.

Recreational routes are shown on both OS map series with diamonds (green on 1:25000, pink on 1:50000). Note 1:50000 only shows those that are over 40km in length.

National Trail and Scotland’s Great Trails

National Trail and Scotland’s Great Trails symbol in an OS Explorer map

These are longer distance routes and are maintained and signposted through funding from public bodies such as Natural England. Some are only available for walkers while others may also be open to cyclists and horse riders. Each route has a National Trails Officer who is responsible for the coordination of maintenance, improvement and promotion of the route from the ground. They are shown as per recreational routes, with an acorn (England and Wales) or thistle (Scotland) symbol and name on 1:25,000 Explorer maps, and with pink diamonds and name only (no symbol) on 1:50,000 Landranger maps.

Permissive Footpath

Permissive footpath symbol in an OS Explorer map

This footpath takes you over private land and is not a right of way. The landowner has granted permission for the route to be used by the public, but they also have the right to withdraw that permission. The path will often be closed for one day a year to protect the landowner against any future claims of continuous public right of way. The date(s) the path is closed should be well signposted in the area.

Permissive Bridleway

Permissive bridleway symbol in an OS Explorer map

As with the permissive footpath, a permissive bridleway takes you across private land where the landowner has granted permission for public use. They also have the right to withdraw their permission and will likely close the bridleway for one day each year as above. Permissive footpaths and bridleways are only shown on 1:25000 Explorer mapping.

Traffic Free Cycle route & Traffic Free Off-Road Cycle Route

Traffic free cycle route symbol in OS Explorer and OS Landranger maps

This is a designated traffic free cycle route. On 1:50000 Landranger mapping, only signposted national or regional off-road routes are shown which are managed by Sustrans. These are represented by green circles and a national (magenta) or regional (blue) cycle network number.

On 1:25000 Explorer mapping, off-road cycle routes are depicted with orange dots (provided they’re not coincident with a road, bridleway, permissive bridleway, byway open to all traffic or restricted byway). Those that are part of the National Cycle Network or are a national route have the addition of a red network number.

On-Road Cycle Route

On-road cycle route symbol in an OS Explorer map

Only national routes which are signposted and managed by Sustrans are shown on our mapping. On 1:50000 Landranger mapping, they’re shown with green dots and a network number as above. On 1:25000 Explorer mapping, on-road national cycle routes are shown only with a solid red box.

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Danger Area

Danger area symbol in an OS Explorer map

This could be a military firing range and the warning notices around the area should be observed and adhered to. You can contact the Ministry of Defence ahead of your trip to find out about access to a specific area.

Managed Access

Managed access symbol in an OS Explorer map

Again, this could be a military firing range and the warning notices around the area should be followed. Access is restricted and managed in this area and similarly, you can contact the Ministry of Defence to find out about access to a specific area.

Open Access Land (England & Wales)

Open access land symbol in an OS Explorer map

On our 1:25000 maps for England and Wales, some areas are shaded in yellow. This is open access land and within this area, you are free to roam. On 1:50000 Landranger mapping this is shown with a purple banding which includes symbols to differentiate between land owned by the National Trust, Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland and Natural Resources Wales. While paths and trails exist, you’re free to roam beyond them.

Coastal Margin

Coastal margin symbol in an OS Explorer map

This is access land associated with the England Coast Path which, by its very nature, is sometimes steep, unstable and may not be readily accessible. The areas have a pink half-moon boundary on 1:25000 maps with a pale pink tint. Look out for local signage regarding access restrictions related to private property, cropped land and areas of marsh and mudflats.

Right to Roam (Scotland)

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives the public the right to be on or cross any land for recreational, educational and other named purposes.

There may be circumstances where you get permission from the landowners but, providing you are considerate and respectful of the land you’re traversing; you have the right to roam when walking, cycling or horse riding. You have the right to walk your dog too providing they’re kept under close control. You are not permitted on any land for hunting, shooting, fishing or using motorised vehicles.

From your OS map, you will be able to see where land may belong to the National Trust for Scotland, Forestry Commission or Woodland Trust. There may be limited access in some of these areas, but local signs will instruct you. In addition, access land owned by the National Trust, Forest Commission or Woodland Trust will have purple band and appropriate symbol.

Walking Dogs on Right of Ways

Dogs are permitted on all definitive Rights of Way but they should remain on the line of the path and be under close control. You should take particular care when crossing fields with livestock in and adhere to any local signs requesting dogs to be on leads.

Reporting an Issue with a Right of Way

If you come across a blocked right of way, your first port of call should be the Rights of Way Officer (or similar) at the relevant local authority. They hold the definitive map of rights of way and can advise, clear the route, or take enforcement action. Then, if required, they will contact us so we can update our maps.

Protecting Our Public Rights of Way

Routes must be correctly recorded on the definitive map by 2026 or they could be extinguished forever, whilst out exploring make sure to check that your routes are recorded on your OS map and at the correct status. You can find out more and find help to record any missing routes through organisation such as The British Horse Society, The Ramblers and The Open Spaces Society.

Now you know where you can and can’t go! Check out some of our other guides to map reading and have fun exploring Great Britain with our maps!

Check Out Our OS Explorer & Landranger Maps!

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We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.

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By Jonathan Elder

Jonathan helps run the OS Shop and GetOutside, and in his free time can be found walking, playing computer games or, in the winter, falling off mountains with a plank of wood strapped to his feet.