Most are in rural landscapes, in varying terrain, some passing through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
[2] There is no formal definition of a long-distance path, though the British Long Distance Walkers Association defines one as a route "20 miles [32 km] or more in length and mainly off-road.
"[1] They usually follow existing rights of way, often over private land, linked and sometimes waymarked to make a named route.
[4] Exceptions to this can be converted railways, canal towpaths and some popular fell walking routes where stone-pitching and slabs have been laid to prevent erosion.
[5] Many long-distance footpaths are arranged around a particular theme such as one specific range of hills or a historical or geographical connection.