Desire lines/paths

Apologies if you’ve come across this before. I found it of interest. Have you ever found yourself following a well-used track which you have a pretty good idea is not a footpath shown on map. Desire lines are paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall traffic. Paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between an origin and destination. Width and erosion severity can be indicators of how much traffic a path receives. Desire lines emerge as shortcuts where constructed ways take a circuitous route, have gaps, or are non-existent.

Also known as a game trail, social trail, herd path, cow path, elephant path, goat track, pig trail, use trail or bootleg trail.