Public rights of way signage
The difference between footpaths, bridleways and by-ways
Public rights of way are open to everyone. They can be roads, paths or tracks and can go through towns, countryside and over private property. We have over 3100 individual public rights of way, many of which are used for recreation - particularly walking, cycling and horse-riding.
Get to know the signs and symbols used in the countryside...
Public Footpaths
Public Footpaths can be used by:
- Walkers, including those pushing prams/pushchairs
- Wheelchair users
- Mobility scooters
This does not mean that all routes are necessarily physically accessible for all users. These signs are marked with a yellow arrow.
Bridleways
Bridleways can be used by:
- Walkers
- Horse riders
- Cyclists
These are marked with a blue arrow.
Public rights of way are open to everyone. They can be roads, paths or tracks and can go through towns, countryside and over private property. We have over 3100 individual public rights of way, many of which are used for recreation - particularly walking, cycling and horse-riding.
Get to know the signs and symbols used in the countryside...
Public Footpaths
Public Footpaths can be used by:
- Walkers, including those pushing prams/pushchairs
- Wheelchair users
- Mobility scooters
This does not mean that all routes are necessarily physically accessible for all users. These signs are marked with a yellow arrow.
Bridleways
Bridleways can be used by:
- Walkers
- Horse riders
- Cyclists
These are marked with a blue arrow.
Byways
Byways are open to all traffic. These are often referred to as BOATs or simply Byways. These can be used by:
- Walkers
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Vehicles – both horse drawn and motorised including motor cycles.
Byways are used mainly for the purposes for which public footpaths and public bridleways are used, i.e. walking and riding. Although members of the public enjoy vehicular rights on a Byway, they should not normally expect the route to have a sealed (tarmac) surface. These signs are marked with a red arrow.
Restricted byways
Restricted byways is a relatively new category of Public Right of Way that can be used by:
- Walkers
- Horse riders
- Cyclists
- Non-motorised/horse-drawn vehicles.
There is currently only one restricted Byway in Carmarthenshire. This will be marked with a purple arrow.
Byways
Byways are open to all traffic. These are often referred to as BOATs or simply Byways. These can be used by:
- Walkers
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Vehicles – both horse drawn and motorised including motor cycles.
Byways are used mainly for the purposes for which public footpaths and public bridleways are used, i.e. walking and riding. Although members of the public enjoy vehicular rights on a Byway, they should not normally expect the route to have a sealed (tarmac) surface. These signs are marked with a red arrow.
Restricted byways
Restricted byways is a relatively new category of Public Right of Way that can be used by:
- Walkers
- Horse riders
- Cyclists
- Non-motorised/horse-drawn vehicles.
There is currently only one restricted Byway in Carmarthenshire. This will be marked with a purple arrow.
Find your nearest public right of way
We have a duty to signpost all Public Rights of Way where they leave a tarmac road. These signposts, often called finger posts, have green flags with a white image. We endeavour to signpost all of our most popular paths and promoted routes. However, due to the length of the network and, in some instances, legal anomalies associated with the Definitive Map, not all Rights of Way are signposted.
Use our map to find your nearest public right of way. All you need to do is enter your postcode, and choose which right of way you are looking for, e.g. public footpath, bridleway.
If you know of a local path which isn't signposted, please let us know so that we can include in our next round of signposting. You can do this by e-mailing prow@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Your nearest public right of way
Respect, protect, enjoy!
Remember to protect, respect and enjoy the countryside and follow the countryside code.
Find your nearest public right of way
We have a duty to signpost all Public Rights of Way where they leave a tarmac road. These signposts, often called finger posts, have green flags with a white image. We endeavour to signpost all of our most popular paths and promoted routes. However, due to the length of the network and, in some instances, legal anomalies associated with the Definitive Map, not all Rights of Way are signposted.
Use our map to find your nearest public right of way. All you need to do is enter your postcode, and choose which right of way you are looking for, e.g. public footpath, bridleway.
If you know of a local path which isn't signposted, please let us know so that we can include in our next round of signposting. You can do this by e-mailing prow@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Your nearest public right of way
Respect, protect, enjoy!
Remember to protect, respect and enjoy the countryside and follow the countryside code.