WikiProject Belgium/Conventions/Walking Routes

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Contents 1 Long distance routes (GR) 2 RAVeL network 3 Walking node networks 4 Local walking routes 4.1 Natuurpunt 4.2 Wallonie 5 Pilgrim's paths

Long distance routes (GR)

GR footpaths (Grote Routepaden [1] in Dutch or Grande Randonnée [2] in French) are signed with the usual red/white signs, and can also be found in large parts in western Europe.

Tagging examples (for relations):

Tags	Description
type=route route=foot network=nwn ref=GR5	The GR 5 path, which runs from Bergen op Zooom in the Netherlands to Nice in France.
type=route route=foot network=nwn ref=GRAE	The GR AE path which runs from the Ardennes to the Eifel.

RAVeL network

The RAVeL (Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes) network stretches across Wallonia [3]. These routes are for walking, cycling, horse riding and skating. They're currently tagged as cycle routes (see here, but will need walking route tags as well once.

Walking node networks

Since the cycle node networks were such a success, walking node networks also started appearing in some places. They work entirely the same as the cycle node networks, but only cover small areas.

The way of tagging is almost the same. A node is tagged like:

Tags	Description
rwn_ref=35	A "35" node in the network.

The routes between the nodes are created with relations like:

Tags	Description
type=route route=foot network=rwn note=03-68	A route between two nodes. The "note" key isn't necessary, but makes it easier to know which route it is. Don't use the "name" and "ref" tag. If you add the "ref" tags they will give a rendering mess.

When the routes follow different roads in both directions between two nodes, use the proper "forward" and "backward" roles for each relation member. See Relations/Routes for details.

Local walking routes

With local walking routes we generally mean all other walking routes, which usually make a loop back to its starting point, and can therefore be seen as the same type of route as the themed cycle routes.

Categorizing them may be hard, since every municipality seems to have their own way of signing. Furthermore some other organizations have also put signs all over Belgium.

Tagging examples:

Tags	Description
type=route route=foot network=lwn name=Geitepad	The Geitepad ("Goat path"), a walking route in Wilrijk in Antwerp
type=route route=foot network=lwn name=Timmermanspad	The Timmermanspad, a small walking route in Lier

When the routes are one direction only, use the proper "forward" and "backward" roles for each relation member. See Relations/Routes for details.

Natuurpunt

Natuurpunt has a large number of local walking routes all over Flanders. The routes have one or several information signs with the name of the route, and the signs with arrows have, next to a colour, also a shape, like a rectangle or triangle. In some cases a logo is used, like the "Aardgas" logo.

The routes should be tagged like the other local walking routes above, but should have an additional symbol=* tag, next to colour=*.

This is the list of possible values for the symbol=* tag:

	symbol=square
	symbol=rectangle
	symbol=triangle
	symbol=disk
	symbol=aardgas (*)

(*) when the route is signed with this logo, you shouldn't use the colour=* tag.

Wallonie

The markup of local touristic walking routes is strictly ruled by regional decree of 1 April 2004 and amending regional decree of 20 July 2005. Valid colours are red, yellow, blue and green. More information and links to decrees and annexes:

• Commissariat général au Tourisme, Les itinéraires touristiques balisés

Pilgrim's paths

In Flanders the Compostelagenootschap is currently working out paths for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela. More info about the workgroup here. The paths should be signed sometime in 2009.