Public Rights of Way

Winding their way round the country for more than 33,000 km, Public Rights of Way are the paths, routes and roads that provide the main means for us to enjoy our dynamic countryside. They are our green highways. As with different stretches of road and motorway, what you can do depends on what highway you're on...

Being able to enjoy the freedom of the surrounding landscape is a right to which everyone is entitled. However, we're not all aware of the tremendous benefits the countryside can offer - physically, socially, and mentally.

CCW has an ongoing mission to tackle this, and broadcast these benefits. We want to ensure that the network of Rights of Way highways are:

• in excellent condition and easy to use
• accurately described, so that people know what's out there!
• well publicised and easy to find out about

Step away from the city. Leave the car in the garage. Walk the kids to school.

Whatever your reason for using outdoor access, how the network of routes is managed and developed will affect you.

Different kinds of highway

There are four kinds of Rights of Way in Wales. They can be used in different ways, depending on the type.

• 79% of Rights of Way in Wales are footpaths which can be used by walkers.
• 15% are bridleways which can be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
• The other 6% of the network is made up of two kinds of byways:
  • Restricted byways, which can be used by the same groups as bridleways whilst also allowing horse drawn carriages and other non-motorised vehicles.
  • Byways, which are open to all traffic, including vehicles, such as motor bikes.

People using wheelchairs can use all of the above routes if they are suitable.