Bridle path

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Bridleway in Hillingdon, England
Marker for the National Horse Trail in Australia.

A bridle path, also bridleway, equestrian trail, horse riding path, ride, bridle road, or horse trail, is a path, trail or a thoroughfare that is used by people riding on horses. Trails originally created for use by horses often now serve a wider range of users, including equestrians, hikers,[1] and cyclists. Such paths are either impassable for motorized vehicles, or vehicles are banned. The laws relating to allowable uses vary from country to country.[2][3]

In industrialized countries, bridle paths are now primarily used for recreation. However, they are still important transportation routes in other areas. For example, they are the main method of traveling to mountain villages in Lesotho.[4] However, In England and Wales a bridle path now refers to a route which can be legally used by horse riders in addition to walkers, and since 1968, by cyclists.

A "ride" is another term used for a bridleway: "a path or track, esp. one through a wood, usually made for riding on horseback" (Oxford English Dictionary).

In the US, the term bridle path is used colloquially for trails or paths used primarily for people making day treks on horses, and usually used only on the east coast, whereas out west the equivalent term is trail. The term "bridleway" is rarely used in the U.S. Most of the time horses are presumed allowed to use trails in America unless specifically banned, although rules differ among locations.[5]

In some countries long distance multi-use trails have been created, including the Bicentennial National Trail in Australia, one of the longest marked multi-use trails in the world, stretching 5,330 kilometres.[6] Rail trails can often be used by equestrians.

In the United Kingdom[edit]

Cyclists on a bridleway in England

England and Wales[edit]

In England and Wales a bridleway is "a way over which the public has a right of way on foot and a right of way on horseback or leading a horse, with or without a right to drive animals along the way."[7][8] Although Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 permits the riding of bicycles on public bridleways, the act says that it "shall not create any obligation to facilitate the use of the bridleway by cyclists". Thus the right to cycle exists even though it may be difficult to exercise on occasion, especially in winter. Cyclists using a bridleway are obliged to give way to other users on foot or horseback pursuant to the Countryside Act 1968.[9]

In London's Hyde Park the sand-covered avenue of Rotten Row is maintained as a bridleway and forms part of Hyde Park's South Ride. It is convenient for the Household Cavalry, stabled nearby at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge, to exercise their horses.

Long distance bridle trails[edit]

A number of long distance multi-use trails have been created in England, including three National Trails, the Pennine Bridleway, 192 km (119 miles), The Ridgeway, 139 km (86 miles), and South Downs Way, 160 km (99 miles). The British Horse Society has promoted long distance routes for horse riders known as bridleroutes, incorporating bridleways, byways and minor roads.[10]


The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 specifically establishes a right to be on land for recreational, educational and certain other purposes and a right to cross land. Access rights apply to any non-motorised activities, including horse-riding but only if they are exercised responsibly, as specified in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

However, there is a lack of legally asserted public rights of way in Scotland, particularly for horse riding and cycling. Rights of way in Scotland mostly provide access for walkers, and only rarely for horse riders.[11]


Sign for Old Bridle Path trail in New Hampshire, U.S. - which no longer allows horses.


Urban bridle paths exist in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park (most notably Forbidden Drive along the Wissahickon Creek)[12] and New York City's Central Park

Some trails managed by the U. S. Forest Service and other governmental entities may restrict access of horses, or restrict access during certain times of the year. For example, horses are allowed on the American Discovery Trail, which crosses the country,[13] but only on specific sections of the Appalachian Trail.[14] Access to trails and pathways on private land is generally left to the discretion of the landowner, subject to the general trespass laws of each of the 50 states.

Rail trails[edit]


Rail trails/paths are shared-use paths that make use of abandoned railway corridors. They can be used for walking, cycling, and often horse riding as well. The following description comes from Australia, but is applicable equally to other rail trails that exist throughout the world.

"Following the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat. Wineries and other attractions are near many trails as well as B&B's and other great places to stay." [15]


See also[edit]


  1. ^ "AMC-NH - Trailwork: Old Bridle Path". Archived from the original on 2018-04-26. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  2. ^ "bridle path". Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  4. ^ "Lesotho." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 24 June 2007
  5. ^ Concord Monitor: "N.H. drops plans to limit horse use of state trails after complaints" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Bicentennial National Trail Archived 2008-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 29-11-2013.
  7. ^ s 329, Highways Act 1980 and s 192, Road Traffic Act 1988
  8. ^ A Dictionary of Law Enforcement. Oxford University Press, 2007
  9. ^ "Countryside Act 1968: Section 30",, The National Archives, 1968 c. 30 (s. 30)
  10. ^ Ride-UK: National Bridle Route Network provides details of other long distance bridle routes at Archived 2013-12-05 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ Shared use paths and tracks - Scottish Natural Heritage "Archived Document". Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  12. ^ "Philadelphia Parks & Recreation | Homepage". City of Philadelphia: Horse Stables. City of Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  13. ^ < Archived 2015-08-01 at the Wayback Machine>
  14. ^, The Cyphers Agency, 888-412-7469. "American Discovery Trail Society - the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreational trail for hiking, biking, riding". Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  15. ^ Railtrails Australia: <>

External links[edit]