Public rights of way give you the right to walk along specific routes at any time.
These can be roads, footpaths or tracks in rural or urban areas, sometimes over private land. Some rights of way can be used by horses, cyclists and vehicles. More information (opens in new tab)
Map of Gwynedd Public Rights of Way (opens in new tab)View Gwynedd’s online rights of way register (opens in new tab)Further information
If you come across a problem on a public right of way, for example, an obstruction on the path, incorrect signs or lack of maintenance, please contact us (opens in new tab).
Landowners can expect that visitors on their land will treat it with respect and care and follow the Countryside Code (opens in new tab). There are expectations on the landowner as well:
These are a legal record of public rights of way in Gwynedd. Copies are available to view at the Council Offices in Caernarfon and Dolgellau.
It is advised that you make an appointment to view these documents so that the relevant officer is available to answer any queries: Contact us (opens in new tab)
The first thing to do is to contact us (opens in new tab)
An application can then be made under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to have the path added to the Definitive Map. If there are no objections and the landowner agrees, things are comparatively simple. However, in most cases there are objections and the matter then becomes difficult and time consuming. If the problem can’t be resolved the matter will be referred to the Welsh Government. Further information and an application form can be found below:
Under the Highways Act 1980, the Council may divert a public right of way. The diversion must be in the interests of the owner, occupier, or lessee of the land, or in the interests of the public and the new route must not be substantially less convenient to the public. Above all, it must be expedient to have the diversion.
The Council also has a power under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to divert a public right of way when necessary to enable planning consent granted by it to be implemented.
Further information can be found in the leaflets below or by contacting us: contact us (opens in new tab)
- Application form: divert a right of way (opens in new tab)
- Divert a right of way: The process (opens in new tab)
- Choosing a new route: Guidance notes (opens in new tab)
- Landowners responsibility for the network: Guidance notes (opens in new tab)
We strongly advise that you contact us (opens in new tab) before completing the application forms
Public Path Order Costs 2025/26
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1. Fee to be submitted with application | £562.17 |
| 2. Order made | £705.40 |
| 3. Order confirmed without objection | £1,558.81 |
| 4. Order opposed, applicant withdraws application | £1,248.48 |
| 5. Order opposed, Authority decides not to proceed | £1,533.74 |
| 6. Opposed Order, Authority proceeds to Public Inquiry and Order Confirmed | £5,750.65 |
| 7. Order opposed, Authority proceeds to Public Inquiry and application is refused | £4,886.50 |
In addition to the above fees the applicant is also responsible for paying advertising fees which are subject to costs at local newspapers (see below):
| Fees | Number of Adverts | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4 and 5 above | 1 advert | Recover cost |
| 3 and 7 above | 2 adverts | Recover cost |
| 6 above | 3 adverts | Recover cost |
A right of way can be extinguished if it can be proved that it is not needed for use by the public and that it is expedient to close it. This is very difficult to prove and extinguishment orders are made very infrequently. If you are considering applying for an order the first step is to contact us (opens in new tab)
Regular use by the public of an informal path may result in it being recognised as an official Public Right of Way. To prevent this, you need to show that, at the relevant time, you did not intend that the path should become a Public Right of Way. Further information can be found in the guidance notes and templates, or please contact us (opens in new tab)
The Local Access Forum will have the primary purpose of giving advice to Cyngor Gwynedd and Natural Resources Wales on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation. The Forum is expected to further improve liaison between interest groups and to establish and maintain links to other area Forums.
Contact us
For further information about public rights of way in Gwynedd, please contact us:
Online enquiry (opens in new tab)- Or phone: 01766 771000