Footpaths, byways and bridleways

Surrey has almost 3482 kilometres (2164 miles) of footpaths bridleways, and byways. We are responsible for the management and maintenance of this network, and for the Definitive Map that is a legal record of the position and status of Rights of Way.

Surrey's rights of way network is made up of approximately:

  • 2,243 km (1394 miles) of public footpaths which you have the right to use on foot only
  • 1,115 km (693 miles) of public bridleways which you have the right to use on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle (cyclists should give way to walkers and riders)
  • 0.7 km (0.4 miles) of restricted byways which you have the right to use on foot, on horseback or on/in any vehicle which is not mechanically propelled (for example a bicycle, horse drawn vehicles).
  • 123 km (76 miles) of Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) which you can use on foot, on horseback and on or in any sort of vehicle

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