Desire Paths

A desire path or as Robert Macfarlane describes ‘a free will way’

I have always loved the whole notion and rebellion of a desire path! For those of you that don’t know, they are paths that defy, they are the paths that people choose to forge, not the ones that planners provide. They are paths that make common sense, that are intuitive and somehow more satisfying! This particular desire path in the photo is a favourite, we call it the high road and it runs parallel and above the actual official path. This path doesn’t really make sense except it is prettier, provides a better view and is just more interesting! It also provides a more interesting physical challenge for us all and I love that people pick it over the boring one down below! I recently watched a fantastic lecture by Katy Bowman who describes the importance of not just taking exercise but actually using and utilising our bodies for what they are designed. How our bodies have the ability to undertake a whole heap of small and intricate movements which we may not access in a standard fitness session. The ability of my feet and ankles to negotiate this path for instance is quite something when you actually consider the anatomy of it. The concern Katy offers is that if we don’t really use our bodies as a whole, we may lose these abilities.

It also feels good to question our paths and it’s almost essential to veer off them every now and again! It is off the path that adventure awaits after all and where new paths and trails appear, at the very worst it gives our ankles a work out! In conclusion I would say, go your own way and always follow your desire path!