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Is there an access tag for a free roaming area, track or path, to designate the special type of area to roam around ? You’ll enter the area mostly through a gate but after that your free to go as you like and take the exit on the other side. And if there no such key and value combination should not it be so ? I thought about 2 options tag the area with the key leisure and value roaming or one of the possible tracks key highway value roaming. Greetz

asked 16 Mar '13, 15:23

Hendrikklaas's gravatar image

Hendrikklaas
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Can you give an example? You can always create a closed way and add the highway tag and additionally area=yes.

(16 Mar '13, 15:35) scai ♦

In GB we have areas classified as access land, which have come about from common land (land shared by the village in old times often community cattle grazing) and national parks often land on hills not used for crops but usually used for sheep. In these areas we are allowed to roam freely, with few restrictions, off and on the paths. A polygon tagged as access land may be the answer. Ideally it would be rendered. On Ordnance Survey maps its a yellowish area.

(16 Mar '13, 16:00) andy mackey

I found few uses of "access land" and even more of "common access land" examples by using the search box

(17 Mar '13, 12:52) andy mackey

"public access" is also used

(17 Mar '13, 13:05) andy mackey

In England and Wales we now have a lot of this land, and it has an official legal status under the CROW Act of 2000. It is known as Access Land: I discussed some of the issues with mapping this type of land in my blog: http://sk53-osm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/access-land.html. My example was mapped using a relation. However, the designation tag is mainly used for rights of way access in England and Wales, and slightly different solutions may be needed elsewhere. The designation=access_land combination is only used 75 times (although this may be because of the difficulty in accurately mapping these areas).

The basic principle - building a polygon with tag access=foot, and marking the known entrance points using barrier=entrance with appropriate subtagging - should form the basis for similar areas elsewhere in the world. Of course if these areas are delineated by specific legal documents then the designation tag is valid. In countries like Scotland and Sweden with more general rights to roam this might not be appropriate.

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answered 16 Mar '13, 17:33

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SK53 ♦
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In the Netherlands there areas where youre allowed to go anywhere, roaming or struinen (Nld) and on tracks as Klompenpaden (Wooden shoes). The last ones come with the allowance to cross farmland from A to B. Therefore I asked for 2 tags at the same time. And yes Andy I know the British right of way and the Allemans right in Scandinavia. The south bank or border of the river http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.96899&lon=5.16667&zoom=16&layers=M is a designated and marked as a free roaming field. And on the north bank to the west ther's a track designed as Struinpad from one farm to another.

(16 Mar '13, 21:00) Hendrikklaas

Besides the suggestion in this answer, I would also add paths or ways in this area with a highway-tag and appropriate access tags. So it is clear how to walk around, and maybe this area can also be used for transit? The area itself should not have a highway-tag.

Reason: If it is rainy, I would like to know what is the best way to walk without spoiling my shoes. Also, if someone is ill inside this area, what is the best way for the ambulance to go there?

(19 Mar '13, 11:02) moszkva ter
1

Hi Moszkva ter, I would almost say come over and take a hike. The fun of roaming areas is the lack of tracks with lots of grass and low on ways. Tag the way into the area but that’s it. Water or rain are a minor problem, ticks will, use boots or watertight shoes. Fi a Scandinavian or alpine territory tour/hike gets you in a day far from any road (20 - 30 km) or even a transmitter! In case of emergency try to call 911 for help and you might get a heliflight out.

(19 Mar '13, 11:48) Hendrikklaas

The one area I have mapped like this does also show the paths (although not those of the sheep). So this usage does not preclude normal mapping of highways if they exist.

(19 Mar '13, 20:12) SK53 ♦

When I walked in the lake district off the usual paths I connected both ends of path as I assumed routing engines would not work through open land, or does it? I also thought practical ways through rough ground should be on the map. Mud free in open land? only if you are very lucky.

(19 Mar '13, 20:18) andy mackey

-> Hendrikklaas: I live in a country, where you can roam around freely across any woodland or grassland you may find. Therefore we don't need any designated "free roaming zones". As the question was about them, which are clearly signed, I suspected them to be some kind of park, or at least maintained (paths you can but don't need to use, info signposts, some ranger service etc.)

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answered 21 Mar '13, 07:10

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moszkva ter
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Hi your lucky. Our home made country is filled with farmland and yards and a little bit of nature. Were glad if were allowed to roam for a while without a path. Andy's remark was a good one if its routed. Happy tour Hendrik

(21 Mar '13, 11:31) Hendrikklaas
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question asked: 16 Mar '13, 15:23

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last updated: 21 Mar '13, 11:31

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