North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for managing the longest public rights of way network in England at over 10,000km. The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks manage approximately 4,000km through an agency agreement with the county council. This network provides routes into some of the finest landscapes and countryside found anywhere in Britain.

Did you know?

• North Yorkshire has the longest local public rights of way network in the country, at 10134km in length
• Using and enjoying rights of way is good for us, providing a means to become more physically and mentally active, reducing obesity, disease, depression and anxiety. Enjoying the network can be fun and healthy
• Public rights of way have served our transport needs for centuries, providing our ancestors with routes to travel between farms, communities and places of work
• The public rights of way network is part of our culture and heritage and our relationship with our environment
• It is estimated that public rights of way bring in at least £450 million to the North Yorkshire economy

We have put together a range of information about rights of way which you can find below.

Responsibilities

Find out the responsibilities of the Council, Landowners and the public on our Rights of way - responsibilities page.

What are my rights?

Find out about the different types of public rights of way and who can use them on our Rights of way - what are my rights? page.

Definitive map and statements

What it is and how you can change it. Find out about adding new rights of way, diverting existing paths, adding new gates, temporary closures and more on our Rights of way - definitive map and statements page.

Furniture

Find out about gates, stiles and bridges on our Rights of way - furniture page.

Advice for developers

Find out what you need to do if you are planning a development on land crossed by public rights of way on our Rights of way - advice for developers page.

Long distance routes

Find out about some of the long distance walks in North Yorkshire on our Rights of way - long distance routes page.

Legislation

Which laws relate to public rights of way and how you can find out more on our Rights of way - legislation page.

Local access forum

Find out who they are and what they do on our Rights of way - local access forum page.

Open access land

Find out where you have the "right to roam" on our Rights of way - open access land page.

	Rights of way - enforcement Find out more about rights of way legislation, and answer your questions regarding common issues relating to public rights of way.
	Rights of way - maintenance Find out more about who is responsible for the maintenance of public rights of way.
	Rights of way - news What's going on in public rights of way, events, latest order notices and temporary closures, public rights of way registers.
	Rights of way - ranger services Find out about your local rangers and what they do.
	Rights of way - report an issue Let us know about any problems on rights of way.
	Rights of way - walks and rides guides Download walks and rides across the county.

Useful downloads Using the public rights of way network in North Yorkshire leaflet [975kb] A leaflet outlining the responsibilities of users of the rights of way network and offering advice on how to better use the rights of way network. Duties and responsibilities of landowners and farmers leaflet [659kb] A leaflet outlining the responsibilities of landowners and farmers relating to ploughing, cropping and obstructions of public rights of way.   Contacts Public rights of way paths@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: +44 0845 0 34 95 99 Full details for Public rights of way