PathBelgium
Traffic rules
Belgium
77. Path
A path is a relatively narrow route intended for pedestrians and, where permitted, other road users or small vehicles. Paths may run through urban areas, countryside, parks, forests or between other roads and can be surfaced or unsurfaced.
A path is not necessarily the same as a footpath or cycle path. The road users permitted to use it depend on its legal status, width, traffic signs and local regulations.
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What is legally considered a path in Belgium?
A Belgian path, or pad, is a narrow public road that allows only pedestrians and vehicles requiring no more width than the space normally needed by pedestrians.
Is a Belgian path a public road?
Yes. A path is expressly defined as a type of public road, even though it is too narrow for ordinary vehicle traffic in general.
Is a Belgian path the same as a footpath?
No. A path is not necessarily reserved exclusively for pedestrians. The legal definition also permits sufficiently narrow vehicles, subject to any applicable traffic signs or restrictions.
Is a Belgian path the same as a cycle path?
No. A cycle path is a specifically designated part of the public road reserved for the categories indicated by the cycle-path rules. A path is a separate type of public road.
Can cyclists use a Belgian path?
Yes, where no sign or other rule prohibits them and the vehicle satisfies the characteristics of traffic permitted on the path. The path itself is not automatically a compulsory cycle facility.
Can ordinary cars use a Belgian path?
Normally no. A path only allows vehicles that require no more width than the space needed by pedestrians, so an ordinary passenger car does not fit the legal characteristics of permitted traffic.
Is access to a Belgian path determined only by whether a vehicle has a motor?
No. The basic legal definition is based on the narrow character of the public road and the amount of width the vehicle requires. Traffic signs can impose additional restrictions on particular vehicle categories.
What is the difference between a path and an earth road in Belgium?
A path is narrow and permits only pedestrians and very narrow vehicles. An earth road is wider than a path but is not arranged for vehicle traffic in general.
Does an earth road stop being an earth road where it meets another road?
No. An earth road keeps its legal character even if only the part where it joins another public road has the appearance of a normal roadway.
Who has priority when a driver leaves a Belgian path?
A driver coming from a path onto a public road with a roadway must give way to every driver travelling on the road or roadway being entered.
Does priority from the right give a driver leaving a path priority?
No. The special rule for drivers coming from a path overrides the ordinary priority-from-the-right rule when they enter a public road with a roadway. They must give way to traffic on that road.
Can traffic signs further restrict a Belgian path?
Yes. Although the legal definition determines which traffic can physically and legally use a path in principle, traffic signs can impose additional access prohibitions or reservations.
Will Belgium keep the definition of a path in 2027?
Yes. The Code of the Public Road scheduled to apply from 1 June 2027 retains essentially the same definition: a narrow public road allowing pedestrians and vehicles that require no more width than the space required by pedestrians.
