25 Times When ‘Desire Paths’ Overtook Official Routes (New Pics)
When there is a demarcated path to follow, if you see a shorter more sensible route that is clearly off the intended route but would save you time and effort, would you take the long way or take the shortcut?
This ‘short-cut’ also known as the “desire path” has been described as “paths & tracks made over time by the wishes & feet of walkers, especially those … that run contrary to design or planning” by Robert Macfarlane or in his simpler words, “free-will ways.” Turns out there’s a whole subreddit dedicated to the subject and we’ve shared some of the most satisfying examples in the gallery below.
#1 Next Level Desire Path
Image source: colfaxmachine
Kim: Well done Jason.
#6 Been Here 30 Years, I Don’t Think The Gate Has Ever Been Used
Image source: VonBlitzk
Kim: If this could only work in videogames…
#11 Miami U (Ohio) With The Awareness!!
Image source: miamiuniversity
#16 Ultimate Acceptance
Image source: sixtypizzas
#21 This His Is In Fact A Walkway, Thanks Though Lil’ Sign
Image source: skypineapple
Mavis: This sign was put up by local council to cover their own a*s, in case anyone slips and breaks their neck. There’s probably a paved walkway just out of the picture.
#2 Desire Path Created By A Squirrel We Feed Peanuts To Every Morning
Image source: CapeClaw
GrillMeASalmon: That’s actually very nice…
#7 Well Worn Wal-Mart Path. Deepest I’ve Ever Seen
Image source: Otherwise-Seaweed-76
#12 Update: Tree Is Budding + Secondary Path
Image source: mikeydhakid
Kim: Lets see how many trees they plant
#17 Three Years Ago, I Posted About A Desire Path On My Campus. We Are Successful!
Image source: PapaJamu
#22 It’s Not Very Long But It’s Got Character
Image source: Schwanzus_Longus_69
#3 Desirepath Regocnition In The Netherlands
Image source: r13z
Kim: Smart. Here is somone who actually took in what people wanted.
#8 We Won !
Image source: _insomniack
#13 Desire Stairs
Image source: MastaBaba
GrillMeASalmon: Beautiful! Looks like a virtual staircase.
#18 Frosty Scotland
Image source: reddit.com
#23 Useful Desire Path
Image source: elvivacious
Sheri Lytle: even walk paths get pot holes…lol
#4 Understandable Desire Path
Image source: Isabellake1
FloC: Sometimes the direct path is too steep for someone using a [wheelchair], that’s may be the reason for the long path.
#9 They’re Both Kind Of Appealing
Image source: kmaffett1
Kim: One to Narnia and one to the Shire
#14 Beautiful Exemplar
Image source: hassenrueb
pep Ito: Maybe I’m wrong, but it looks like a path in a park to me, and paths in parks are made for walking so there is no point in taking shortcuts, but to enjoy the walk itself and the conversations with whoever you are walking with.
#19 The Fast Track To Fastrac
Image source: HardcoreMandolinist
#24 My Daughter Found The Shortest Way Home
Image source: NetworkHuge
GrillMeASalmon: Toddler-Positioning-System working well here.
#5 Never Heard Of This Before, But Figured I Had The Perfect One
Image source: Winter_Following1050
GrillMeASalmon: Detour? Me?? Naaaah…
#10 Desire Steps?
Image source: Sachem81
sbj: works for me!
#15 “Please, Take This Circuitous Route Following The Perimeter” Signed, The Architects
Image source: reddit.com
#20 Desire Path To Avoid A Branch Hanging Over Another Larger Desire Path
Image source: HamburgerEsquire
#25 Long, Foggy, More Direct Desire Path At Ucsc
Image source: Tinktilo
Kim: I’d stick to the lit road
,' 'chemins de l'âne (donkey paths)', and 'Olifantenpad (elephant trails)' according to Roger Moor. &p[url]=https://www.demilked.com/desire-paths-pics/&p[images][0]=https://static.demilked.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/desire-paths-pics.png){kind=link}
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