A footpath is, in Australian/British/Irish English, a type of thoroughfare, pedestrian way, walking trail, or nature trail, that is intended for use only by pedestrians and not other forms of traffic such as motorized vehicles, bicycles and horses. They can be found in a wide variety of places, from the centre of cities, to farmland, mountain ridges, National parks, nature preserves, conservation areas and other protected wilderness areas. Urban footpaths are usually paved, may have steps, and can be called alleys, lanes, steps, etc.
The term 'footpath' includes pedestrian paths that are next to the road in Irish English, Indian English, Australian English, and New Zealand English (known as pavement in British English and South African English, or sidewalk in North American English).