TOWPATH

A 'towpath' is a road or track that runs alongside the banks of a river, canal or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beast of burden or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge. This mode of transport was common before efficient engines could be fitted on boats and where sailing was impossible due to rapid current, tunnels and bridges, or unfavourable winds.
Many of these towpaths have been converted to multi-use trails in modern times since they are not used to tow barges anymore. They are still named towpaths although they are not used as such.

Contents

List of towpaths

See also

List of towpaths

★ Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail

★ Forth to Firth Canal Pathway along route of the Falkirk Wheel.

★ D&R Canal Trail

★ Thames Path

See also

★ Flatboat

★ Narrowboat

★ Burlak