Introduction

Later today (September 22, 2021) OpenStreetMap US is hosting a discussion on trail tagging. There has been a lot of chatter recently about how to map these, and the following summarizes my current thoughts on the matter going into tonight’s meeting. I wrote these up mainly as a way to organize my own thoughts, and I’m sure that my opinions will change after further discussion.

Definitions

A path is any way not meant for wheeled motor vehicles. A trail is path or other way signposted or recommended by the landowner for use by those who are not in wheeled motor vehicles. Paths are mapped as ways, and trails are mapped as relations.

Paths that do not exist and never existed

These paths should be removed from OSM. If remote mappers keep restoring them, it may be worthwhile to leave the line tagged with only a note.

Paths that do not exist but recently used to exist

These paths should be tagged with abandoned:highway=path where found, but ideally they should not have been added in the first place. If these paths are deleted, from my experience, locals will inevitably add them back.

Paths that exist but should not exist according to the landowner

Tag as highway=path + access=no + informal=yes where found, but ideally they should not have been added in the first place. There are arguments to be made for using a different tag than path, but none exists as of yet. Deleting these from OSM is futile as locals or remote mappers will inevitably add them back.

Paths that exist and are only to be used by the landowner and guests

Tag as highway=path + access=private where found, but ideally they should not have been added in the first place.

Paths that exist and are tolerated

Tag as highway=path + access=permissive + informal=yes.

Paths that exist and are authorized

Tag as highway=path and include a surface tag

Paths that are part of trails

Tag as highway=path + surface=* and include in a type=route relation

Trails where the pathways used to exist but no longer do

Tag as highway=path along the most frequently-used bushwhack or along the line on the map provided by the landowner and include in a type=route relation. Also, mark it up with trail_visibility=horrible or no and other tags to fully describe that there is no real path.