Client: Scottish Natural Heritage

Summary: We have been commissioned to undertake research on 'Path Attributes'.  The research will look at ways of describing paths in a 'standard format' so that people can gauge for themselves whether a path is suitable or interesting to use. This work involves engaging with a wide spectrum of path users and hopefully people who don't currently use paths. In addition we will work with path managers to find out how practical it can be to produce the descriptions.

Further information

We’re focusing on the different characteristics of paths which might help people to make a decision about using a path.  For example, we think people might want to know about things like gradient, cross-slope, path surface, on-site facilities etc.  As part of this research we intend to develop a system for providing information on those path characteristics, which we hope will give users more confidence to get out on a wider range of paths.  

If you’d be prepared to give us some feedback on your experiences, it would be really helpful for this project.  We’ve set up a website with some short questions which will enable you to provide us with your views and experiences.  If you’ve got any questions about the work, please feel free to get in contact with us.

Please complete the survey for Paths to Health Walk Leaders here

Update November 2009

We would like your views on alternative ways of describing paths. The project steering group (made up of staff from the main public sector organisations) are keen for us to explore a number of different ways of describing paths, to see if one way is better than another.

We have created a 'wiki' to help us explore some of the ideas - it is a way of collaborating (like Wikipedia).

Please visit the 'path-wiki' (or 'Wikipathia'!) and let us know what you think of the ideas