please empty your brain below
This idea whilst imaginative is bizarre. It appears the rules for the lattice are such that no connecting line crosses another. So consider the quadrilateral ABCD. Lines AB, BC, CD and DA qualify but only one of the 2 diagonals AC and BD. Which? The shortest? Who decides?

I have looked at my rural postcode and indeed a line passes nearby, the only problem being that such a walk would in all likelihood involve at least in part a trek along a deathtrap for pedestrians of a winding B road with no footpaths.

J. | 03.05.21 - 7:51 a.m. | #

Checked my location which is pretty rural with lots of public footpaths around. Basically the way identified by this website that passes through my village is 19 kilometres long but entirely on roads (almost exclusively without pavements). Maybe I am missing something about this scheme's intentions.

Mel | 03.05.21 - 8:31 a.m. | #

For me, the Slow Ways branding is a misstep. Even those with limitless leisure time wouldn't naturally choose the Slow Way from A to B would they, unless there was a reason so to do - such as a point of interest, or viewpoint. The obvious benefits of for example avoiding traffic on these routes ought to be highlighted, rather than that they will take longer. A couple of the routes in my area could be better described as the slowest ways!

Frank F | 03.05.21 - 9:14 a.m. | #

A work in progress of a terrific idea.

Andrew | Homepage | 03.05.21 - 9:43 a.m. | #

I agree that it's a great idea. The walks I have looked at look pretty reasonable, if not exactly the way I would have gone.
The occasional lack of clarity is down to the recoding apps. I have used both Google and Guru Maps to record walks and cycle rides, and while generally precise, they are not always quite right.
It is hard to see how the next stage of documenting and improving will be organised. Crowd sourcing is good at some things, but refinement is going to be tricky.

Malcolm of Kent | 03.05.21 - 10:06 a.m. | #

This idea will only be as good as the feedback and updates the site receives.

Michael | 03.05.21 - 10:47 a.m. | #

A good idea in theory, but is it really anything different from what anyone would do if they wanted to walk/cycle from A-B? I know I always look at a map to see if there's a greener/quieter route that avoids the most heavy traffic areas.

It also depends on the reason for the walk - leisure or to reach a destination.
The main problem with linear walks is you have to be able to get back again - especially if you are laden with shopping and/or public transport is to be avoided!

Cornish Cockney | 03.05.21 - 11:23 a.m. | #

Given the success of Wikipedia, it might work... but, currently, in very rural areas (unless I am missing something somewhere) the suggested routes seem to defy geography and cross fields where there are no footpaths (and no gates in walls and stock fences) and cross major burns and rivers where there are no crossings or bridges. Bizarre!

Blue Witch | Homepage | 03.05.21 - 11:32 a.m. | #

I think it’s a great idea, and I hope lots of people are encouraged to sign up, review their local routes and contribute to the facilities page for their local place. Contributors can make suggestions and add photos. Good to be able to see the feasibility of walking in an unfamiliar place. Thanks, DG. I’d heard of it before but not realised it had progressed this far.

Lorraine | 03.05.21 - 11:37 a.m. | #

I bought the London National Park City map, which is an attractive product.

Like you I've explored my local neighbourhood a LOT in lockdown, so do have new routes I've discovered, though on the flipside I tend to favour variety, rather than sticking to certain favoured streets. And that secluded wood or path might not be suitable for someone walking in the evening or concerned about their personal safety (especially lone women)

Mikey C | 03.05.21 - 11:58 a.m. | #

A good idea, but as with others, I would suggest tweaks to improve the routes that I know.

One key tip, especially for rural areas, is to click on the detailed route line and follow the pop-up menu to "Print (via Inkatlas)" This brings up a much better map selection showing all the footpaths properly and is more zoomable, so you can see exactly where to go, and have a better chance of course correction if you stray off. If you don't want to print, select Open Street Map directly from the layers on the top right of the screen and it does the same.

Happy browsing!

NickW | 03.05.21 - 12:04 p.m. | #

The whole point is to suggest tweaks to improve the routes that you know.

No way can all 7651 connections be good enough, yet.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 03.05.21 - 12:06 p.m. | #

Walkipedia was taken?

Jimmy | 03.05.21 - 1:05 p.m. | #

I was one of the 700 people who produced the initial maps so I have had some involvement over the last year.

As other people have said, the idea is that people can suggest alternative routes which they consider to be better, so over time the network should improve as people's ratings will show the popular routes.

Regarding the thickness of line issue, users can download GPX files into a mapping website to see footpaths etc on the map of their choice. Until recently I was not familiar with GPX files but have found they are very easy to download and use.

All routes in England and Wales should be on footpaths, roads, or permissive paths unless they are in an open area such as a moor. Rules in Scotland with it's right to roam may be different.

Cliff H | 03.05.21 - 1:47 p.m. | #

Long time reader, first time commenter. Love the idea of this and the London National Park. My main concern as raised by Mikey C above is the amount of secluded walking as a lone woman so slow ways will only work for me when walking with others.

Lucy | 03.05.21 - 4:22 p.m. | #

Good idea - U3A already looking at helping walk routes - BUT mostly we walk circular walks, 7 miles in total ok but 14 miles for many too much and definitely not with prams or alone as Lucy states.

LESLEY AITKEN | 03.05.21 - 8:46 p.m. | #

This feels like exactly the sort of project that DG readers would love to get involved with! Great to improve something at our local level that we all know about!

AndrewR | 03.05.21 - 11:59 p.m. | #

Their beta.website seems to have very limited functionality.

Tried to add links to the Greenway and Ridgeway footpaths in London, but they don't allow footpaths to be added that don't connected to their existing pre-defined 'nodes'

The organisers have said that - 'We may add more freestyle opportunities in the future, but the network gets its clarity by limiting the number of nodes and Slow Ways.'

Ridgeway Users | Homepage | 04.05.21 - 5:10 p.m. | #

Yes, it's not about adding walking routes willy nilly, it's about finding the best routes between a defined set of about 2000 places across the country.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 04.05.21 - 5:13 p.m. | #











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