What is the word for a path that is made naturally by the action of people walking?


I remember one day, when I was supposed to be at school, hanging out at a friends house and watching an episode of Call My Bluff and there was a word that meant something like:



A path that is made (e.g. across a field) by people consistently walking along the same way



For example something like this (updated as some pointed out that my original picture was actually a footpath):


path


So, it is 15+ years later and I cannot for the life of me remember it so does anyone know what that word is?



Answer



You probably heard one of:



  1. Desire line: A path that pedestrians take informally, rather than taking a sidewalk or set route; e.g. a well-worn ribbon of dirt that one sees cutting across a patch of grass, or paths in the snow.

  2. Well-trodden path: Describing a route or path that is frequently used.

  3. Beaten track: A well-populated area or well-trodden path; any busy area.


For it to remain this tantalisingly elusive, I dare say that you heard option numero uno.


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