What the coloured waymarks mean

In England and Wales, the coloured arrow on a waymark tells you what you are legally allowed to do. Yellow marks a public footpath: you may walk, and that is all. Blue marks a bridleway, open to walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Purple marks a restricted byway, which adds horse-drawn vehicles. Red marks a byway open to all traffic, though many are little more than muddy tracks and you should expect to meet the occasional vehicle. In Scotland, the rules are different: statutory access rights are broader, and waymarks are less about legal status and more about direction. If you see no waymark at all, do not assume the path is public. It may be a permissive path, a farm track or a dead end.

Waymarks are usually small discs or arrows, sometimes nailed to a gatepost or stile. They may carry a destination and distance. The acorn symbol marks a National Trail, but the colour of the arrow still tells you the legal status. A yellow arrow with an acorn is still a footpath: no bikes, no horses.

Reading fingerposts and junctions

At a junction, a fingerpost should point you towards a named place. It may say "Public Footpath" or "Bridleway", and it may include a grid reference or a distance in miles or kilometres. The golden rule is to look for the next waymark before you leave the one you are at. If you can see a stile, a gate or a yellow arrow ahead, you are probably on the right line. If the path fades into a field with no waymark, stop and check the map.

Some signs are old and weathered. A faded arrow might once have been yellow. A missing disc does not remove the public right of way, but it does make navigation harder. Carry a paper map or a downloaded map, and know how to use a compass. Do not rely on a single sign.

Stiles, gates and boundary crossings

Stiles are there to let walkers through while keeping livestock in. Common types include the step stile, the squeeze stile and the kissing gate. A kissing gate swings open one way and closes behind you, so it is easy for dogs and less agile walkers. A ladder stile can be high; take your time, especially in wet boots. Many paths now have gaps or bridle gates instead, which are easier for everyone.

• Leave gates as you find them. If it is closed, close it. If it is open, and livestock are not nearby, leave it open.
• Use the dog gate if there is one, rather than lifting a dog over a stile. If you must lift, do it safely and keep the lead short.
• Do not climb walls or fences unless there is a stile or gap. A broken wall is a costly repair for the farmer.
• Expect mud. Stiles and gates are often the muddiest spots. Wear boots with grip and take your time.

Open access land: where you can roam

Open access land is shown on many walking maps as a pale orange or beige wash, often with a brown dashed boundary. In England and Wales, this land is mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, although not all open country is access land. On access land you have a right to roam on foot. You can walk, sit, picnic and admire the view, but you cannot cycle, ride a horse, camp or light a fire. You must also follow any local restrictions, which are usually posted at entrances and can close an area for conservation, shooting or fire risk.

Access land is not the same as a public footpath. A footpath gives you a right to cross a specific line; access land gives you a right to wander more freely. If you leave the access land boundary, you are back on ordinary rights of way or private land. Check the map before you step off the orange.

Dogs, livestock and the Countryside Code

On open access land, dogs must be on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near livestock. On public footpaths, you should also keep your dog under close control. A dog chasing sheep can cause serious injury, and a farmer is entitled to take action. If cattle approach, let your dog go: a loose dog can run away, but a dog on a lead may make you the target. Give cows with calves a wide berth.

The Countryside Code asks you to respect everyone, protect the natural environment and enjoy the outdoors. In practice, that means taking litter home, not blocking gateways, keeping to the path across crops, and saying hello to the farmer or landowner. Slow walking is not just about pace; it is about noticing. A waymark, a stile, a gate: these are small invitations to pay attention.

Walking with confidence

Before you set out, check the map for waymark colours, access land and path lines. Take a charged phone, a paper map, water and a waterproof. Tell someone where you are going. If a path is blocked or a sign is missing, you can report it to the local highway authority, but do not let it ruin your day: find a safe alternative and enjoy the detour.