Key:towpath

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Public-images-osm logo.svg towpath
Description
Describes a road along an inland waterway. Show/edit corresponding data item.
Used on these elements
should not be used on nodesmay be used on waysshould not be used on areasshould not be used on relations (except multipolygon relations)
Useful combination
Status: in usePage for proposal

A  towpath is a road along an inland waterway, allowing people to tow boats and such. Nowadays, they’re mainly used by cyclists and pedestrians for recreational and transportation purposes. Mapping them explicitly is particularly important where the towpath leaves the waterway (e.g. for tunnels).

How to map

Draw the towpath way way and tag it with towpath=yes.

Some users prefer to add the tag on the waterway itself with left or right (orientation being given by the water stream) in a similar fashion to roads with cycleways and sidewalks. This should not be done when the way is also used for other purposes as it would impede the amount of details which can be added to it.

Relation

Considering the reasons for separation between waterways and towpaths, it’s been suggested to use relations to link them. No scheme has been proposed so far since 2008.

See also