Do you know about paths folk make on their own across land? Too much meander they make more to achieve a beeline. You may have to make departing from the path impossible with other features (and see below).
Do you know police categorise roads and paths for reports cos they are made a certain width to allow for traffic? In the event of a crash they know how much space you had and, preferably, the camber. Also, it is often impractical to facilitate paths wide enough to drive along for fear of travellers camping, being used as rat-runs for local residents and others and so on. To ensure pedestrians only it may be necessary to introduce bollards, etc. Google the design of the new Amercan embassy in Battersea, London to view their anti terrorist measures to kettle, bottle or minimally direct folk. To allow access for baby buggies, horses, disability scooters, etc. it may be necessary to have more than one path and all need maintenance consideration. For example, turf needs to be mown without blades touching the path surface and drains below the surface may allow use of a water tank for irrigation of the area the path traverses.
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