Yellow, Blue, Red: Reading Waymarks and Rights of Way

Look closely at a gatepost or a stile on almost any footpath in England and Wales and you will probably find a small coloured arrow. It looks like a minor detail, but it is a quiet language that tells you who may use the path and which way it goes. Learning to read it makes walking in unfamiliar countryside more relaxed.

The colours and what they mean

In England and Wales, rights of way are usually marked with coloured arrows that follow a common system:

• Yellow: a public footpath, open to walkers on foot.
• Blue: a public bridleway, open to walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
• Red: a byway open to all traffic, which can include motor vehicles as well as walkers, riders and cyclists.
• Purple: a restricted byway, open to walkers, riders, cyclists and horse-drawn vehicles but not motor vehicles.

The arrow points in the direction of the path. Sometimes a number or a name is added, and in national parks and along long-distance routes you may also see a distinctive symbol, such as an acorn on a National Trail.

Where waymarks appear

You will usually find them where a path leaves a road, at gates and stiles, and at junctions where the route could be confused. In open country, such as moorland, markers may be sparse, and posts may be some distance apart. If you cannot see the next marker, stop and check your map rather than guessing.

What the map shows

Ordnance Survey maps use dashed or dotted lines in different colours to show rights of way, so you can match what you see on the ground to what is on paper. It is worth checking the key on the map sheet, because styles vary between scales. The map is a good guide to where public rights exist, but local authorities hold the definitive record, and paths on the ground can sometimes differ from paths on the map.

Open access land and permissive paths

Not every route you can walk is a right of way. Some are:

• Open access land, where there is a right to roam on foot across mapped areas of mountain, moor, heath and down, and some common land. It is shown on maps with a yellow tint and a defined boundary.
• Permissive paths, which landowners allow people to use but can close. These often have their own signs.

Always read any sign at the entrance, since conditions can apply, such as restrictions on dogs or seasonal closures.

Following the path through a field

A public right of way across a field is usually in the form of a line, even if the crop covers it. You are entitled to follow the line, and farmers are expected to keep it clear. If the path is blocked or the waymark is missing, choose the least damaging way around the problem and carry on. You may wish to report it to the local council later. Remember the habits in our guide to the Countryside Code on the footpath, including closing gates and keeping to the path.

When the path is unclear

1. Stop and look back to see where you came from.
2. Check the map and identify a feature, such as a stream, wall or building, that matches the route.
3. Look for the next gate, stile or post along the line.
4. If in doubt, return to the last confirmed point rather than pressing on.

A compass or a phone map can help, but they work best when combined with simply looking around carefully. For longer walks, a route description from a local council or a national park website can be handy.

A note on Scotland

Scotland has a different system, based on a general right of responsible access under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, so the colours and rules above do not apply in the same way. Check local guidance when you plan a walk north of the border.

Frequently asked questions

What if a waymark points the wrong way? Signs can be turned by weather or livestock. Trust the map and the landscape first, and let the local council know about the problem afterwards.

Can I walk on a bridleway? Yes. Bridleways are open to walkers as well as riders and cyclists. Give way to horses and be ready for some mud.

Are all footpaths shown on maps? Most are, but maps can be out of date. Local authorities keep the legal record, which can be viewed on request.