Last updated 30th November 2023

LDWA's Role for LDPs

The LDWA is a UK Governing Body for rambling and long distance walking and is recognised by Sport England. Its two roles in relation to long distance paths are:

• Documenting and publicising the overall LDPs network in the UK, both on this site and in other ways.
• Implementing the E-Routes network where it passes within the UK and publicising these E-Routes. This is a coordinating role as the LDWA itself does not have the funds to develop or maintain these routes in detail, nor to pay to advertise them.

Historically the LDWA has not generally involved itself in the development, funding, waymarking or upkeep of individual LDPs, nor has it been a prime political lobbying body on behalf of walkers’ rights. Individual LDWA members are active in these respects but do so on their own account and their views may not be those of the LDWA. There are other UK bodies that lobby on behalf of walkers, with many covering specific issues at local levels. The Ramblers are the major national body, with substantial staff and financial resources dedicated to this role on behalf of all walkers.

Path problems should always be reported in the first instance to the local authority public rights of way section, that is responsible legally for maintaining the surface of the rights of way themselves, ensuring they are free of undergrowth and obstructions. For information on the local authority, the Local Government Association provides contact details and web links. You can also report path problems to the Ramblers.

Who We Are

A small group of volunteers, who are all LDWA members and are LDP enthusiasts, compile and update the information on the LDPs part of this website.

If you would like to help with the volunteer work or have ideas on improving our services please contact us.

The LDPs data on this site is copyright of the LDWA and is provided on a 'free to use' basis only for non-commercial use by LDWA members, and others by prior agreement only. For restrictions of use see our Terms & Conditions.

What We Do

The LDWA provides an LDPs Information Service in four main ways:

• Through this website as an online source of information and news on LDPs. We are the only organisation to have collated and continually updated the details of every known long distance path in the UK.
• Answering queries that the site cannot deal with directly, e.g. special searches needed by people developing new LDPs.
• Keeping members up to date with news of LDPs three times a year through the regular feature article ‘Long Distance Paths’ in each Strider magazine, and more frequently (not just for members) on Social Media including Facebook.