/r/DesirePath

Photograph via snooOG

Dedicated to the paths that humans prefer, rather than the paths that humans create.

Dedicated to the paths that humans prefer

Rather than the paths that humans create


Guidelines

Posts that do not follow these guidelines may be subject to removal at mod/community discretion.

Every post is required to be a picture of a path, discussion on the paths, or otherwise related to paths. (A path here shall be an area used to get between two or more points, the path must be used by a living thing).

  • Worn tracks don't necessarily constitute a desire path.
  • Avoid posts of animals in zoos.
  • Try to ensure your path is an apparent disregard for designated paths.

From Wikipedia

A desire path (also known as a desire line, social trail, goat track or bootleg trail) can be a path created as a consequence of foot or bicycle traffic. The path usually represents the shortest or most easily navigated route between an origin and destination. The width of the path and its erosion are indicators of the amount of use the path receives. Desire paths emerge as shortcuts where constructed ways take a circuitous route, or have gaps, or are lacking entirely.

Nature Conservation and Desire Paths:

Are you a hiking fan? Do you enjoy your national parks for their natural beauty?

Please consider the following: the use of these paths in nature conservation areas should be discouraged due to the harm to the vegetation. Additionally, people should stick to the predetermined trails for their safety—just because a path is there doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Desire paths in developed urban areas generally don't cause disruption to the ecosystem the same way they would in conservation sites.

PSA by u/ibettershutup


You are encouraged to find desire paths of your community and post pictures of them here.


Related Subreddits

/r/DesirePath

346,563 Subscribers

38

Footprints on the desire path. Love it

10 Comments
2024/11/30
21:44 UTC

16

Peckham, London

2 Comments
2024/11/30
10:10 UTC

143

My first post. Not sure if it's cyclists or walkers?

15 Comments
2024/11/30
05:44 UTC

23

Both paths end up at the entrance to a cemetery in my town

2 Comments
2024/11/29
23:48 UTC

155

Nearby desire path between 2 entrances at a hospital involves stepping onto a bench

1 Comment
2024/11/29
18:11 UTC

23

Requires some work

Still requires the wooden rail to be cut away to be a true desire path.

0 Comments
2024/11/28
16:07 UTC

202

This desire path

6 Comments
2024/11/28
09:07 UTC

31

Found this one yesterday

3 Comments
2024/11/28
06:25 UTC

70

we tearin it up

construction closed this road so the student body doin they thang

2 Comments
2024/11/27
21:51 UTC

83

Opportunity missed

5 Comments
2024/11/26
17:26 UTC

20

whoa, that was cool

0 Comments
2024/11/25
03:40 UTC

301

Tiny shortcut for bikes

13 Comments
2024/11/24
13:11 UTC

3,495

Informally called the "kitty highway", the neighborhood cat trail through our yard was near invisible until first snowfall.

19 Comments
2024/11/22
14:07 UTC

118

The snow revealed this previously unknown desire path

20 Comments
2024/11/22
12:06 UTC

49

Shortcut

2 Comments
2024/11/22
09:12 UTC

50

Parallel desire path in Madrid

Bit unusual desire path found inside a Spanish government building. I even wondered if it was really maybe just a grass problem, but the gravel next to the lamp is also worn out where it crosses the path.

4 Comments
2024/11/21
21:42 UTC

109

What you all think about this one ?

7 Comments
2024/11/21
08:40 UTC

8

Golf course desire paths just make me smile. Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville, Florida.

1 Comment
2024/11/21
06:30 UTC

26

snowy desire path!

freak yeah snow!!

0 Comments
2024/11/21
05:45 UTC

55

not sure if this counts, but I saw it in central park nyc

2 Comments
2024/11/19
21:45 UTC

60

Was a desire path, then management threw down some cheap asphalt to make it legit.

18 Comments
2024/11/19
19:12 UTC

23

Western United States, badlands

This path weaves around some low lying hills. Not sure what the original route was intended for. It goes down to the road then wraps around the hill. There are some petrified wood samples protected by grates around the land.

5 Comments
2024/11/19
16:15 UTC

79

Old pilgrims path to the monastery, Moldova.

The monastery is from the 14th century; the paths could be older, as this site has archeological evidence from 4100-3500 BCE.

Walking it, the path felt old.

2 Comments
2024/11/19
16:08 UTC

47

dead end ?!?

10 Comments
2024/11/19
10:55 UTC

13

Desire Path on a traffic island

0 Comments
2024/11/19
06:55 UTC

16

Warsaw, Poland

0 Comments
2024/11/19
05:57 UTC

833

Michigan State University paved its paths based on students’ desired paths

Other Universities have also done this but I remember this one the most.

13 Comments
2024/11/18
21:29 UTC

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