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Merriam Webster dictionary defines a desire path as “an unplanned route or path (such as one worn into a grassy surface by repeated foot traffic) that is used by pedestrians in preference to or in the absence of a designated alternative (such as a paved pathway).”

This may sound like a pretty formal definition, but in its heart, desire paths show so much more than our daily shortcuts and preferred ways to reach destinations. They reflect routines, habits and presence of a living being, whether it’s a human or an animal. They stand like lines of traces carved well into dirt, grass, and anywhere, really.

There’s even this mesmerizing corner of Reddit, “Desire Paths,” “dedicated to the paths that humans prefer, rather than the paths that humans create.” Below we wrapped up some of the most interesting examples that capture our imagination.

#1

The World’s (Actual) Greatest Desire Path! He Carved A Road Through A Mountain Over 22yrs To Shorten The Distance From His Village To The Nearest Hospital From 70km To 1km

The World’s (Actual) Greatest Desire Path! He Carved A Road Through A Mountain Over 22yrs To Shorten The Distance From His Village To The Nearest Hospital From 70km To 1km

johnjames460 Report

#2

My Cat Passed Away Last Night. These Were His Paths

My Cat Passed Away Last Night. These Were His Paths

Just_some_soundguy Report

#3

If You Try Sometimes, You Get What You Need

If You Try Sometimes, You Get What You Need

_qwertsquirt Report

When you want a shortcut, whether when going from the bus stop to the office or stopping by the corner shop, but the path designated for you seems way longer, you pick an unbeaten path instead. You soon realize that many others before you have already done that by traces it left in the grass. 

Robert Macfarlane describes desire paths as “paths and tracks made over time by the wishes & feet of walkers, especially those paths that run contrary to design or planning”; he calls them “free-will ways”. JM Barrie described them as “Paths that have Made Themselves”. There’s something both fascinating and somewhat mysterious about them, so no wonder there are countless Reddit threads and communities dedicated to them.

#4

Generations Of Bunnies Have Worn A Perfect Groove In My Neighbor's Fence

Generations Of Bunnies Have Worn A Perfect Groove In My Neighbor's Fence

bighag Report

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#5

After Our Dog Passed, We Turned His Desire Path Into A Forever Path

After Our Dog Passed, We Turned His Desire Path Into A Forever Path

Muscles_McGeee Report

#6

Desire Path Of A 17yo Kitty

Desire Path Of A 17yo Kitty

littlem00se Report

To find out more about this mesmerizing community on Reddit named “Desire Paths”, Bored Panda reached out to its moderator C.M. Gillespie, who happily shared some insights. “When I originally joined the subreddit, it was about 3000 subscribers deep. I’d seen someone mention it in a comment section, likely on a post of a desire path on /r/pics or a mention in /r/AskReddit of these paths being paved following natural foot traffic on a college campus,” the mod explained.

They also recounted: “A user named SecularScience created the subreddit after someone posted a picture of a desire path on another subreddit, probably /r/pics, and a commenter noted that they have a name! It emerged out of curiosity.”

#7

The Oval Walkways At Ohio State University Were Paved Based On The Students' Desire Paths

The Oval Walkways At Ohio State University Were Paved Based On The Students' Desire Paths

ADTR20 Report

#8

Found This Beautiful Path Earlier This Year

Found This Beautiful Path Earlier This Year

Degenerated__ Report

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#9

Found A Lovely One In Dorset

Found A Lovely One In Dorset

imalizzard Report

According to the moderator of the Desire Paths subreddit, to this day, word of mouth continues to be how the community finds each other. “When someone unknowingly posts a picture of a desire path, people tag the subreddit and the community grows.”

Gillespie told us that desire paths are so fun to spot. “Once people know they have a name, they start seeing them all over the place. It’s a ‘once you see, you can’t unsee’ scenario.”

#10

Doggo Desire Path At A Local Off-Leash Park. Remember That Pavement Can Be Too Hot For Paws On A Sunny Day!

Doggo Desire Path At A Local Off-Leash Park. Remember That Pavement Can Be Too Hot For Paws On A Sunny Day!

Nealios Report

#11

It Took 4 Years

It Took 4 Years

WillySpoon Report

#12

The Ants In My Garage Built A Bridge Over My Glue Trap

The Ants In My Garage Built A Bridge Over My Glue Trap

halfhippo999 Report

According to the Redditor, “If you haven’t noticed a desire path before, look for worn-down grass made by people who step off the sidewalk and decide to take the shortcut instead. They’re not the designated, paved paths. They’re paths that are trod on the grass in between.”

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Interestingly, in Dutch, they’re called “elephant paths” by some people, though Gillespie said they are not sure if that term is commonly used. “I think the translation is Olifantenpaadje. Someone on the subreddit said they’re called Trampelpfad in German.”

#13

The Never Ending Path

The Never Ending Path

KnowKnow92 Report

#14

I'm In A Long Distance Relationship With My Girlfriend, And This Is Where I Walk When I'm On The Phone With Her Every Night

I'm In A Long Distance Relationship With My Girlfriend, And This Is Where I Walk When I'm On The Phone With Her Every Night

cosmicnate Report

#15

Ux vs. Design

Ux vs. Design

reddit.com Report

Andrew Furman, a professor in interior design and architecture at Ryerson University in Toronto, has been researching desire paths for years. According to him, they tell us something about “the endless human desire to have a choice. The importance of not having someone prescribe your path”. 

“An individual can really write their own story. It’s something really powerful if you do have that agency to move,” Furman argues. Desire paths allow us to “not follow the script,” something that can be interpreted as a form of resistance. This is because in a heavily constructed city, there are “rules as to how public and public-private spaces are used”, Furman believes.

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#16

At The Student Residence. I Tried To Walk The Intended Path For Once. It Was Long

At The Student Residence. I Tried To Walk The Intended Path For Once. It Was Long

TopoNewt Report

#17

Superstition

Superstition

one_finger_salute Report

#18

Desire Stairs

Desire Stairs

Oops_I_Sparted Report

#19

This College Paved Over The Desire Paths After Waiting A Year To See Where Mud Trails Formed

This College Paved Over The Desire Paths After Waiting A Year To See Where Mud Trails Formed

Epithymetic Report

#20

My Dog's Desire Path Is Filling Up With Flower Petals. Looks Pretty At The Moment!

My Dog's Desire Path Is Filling Up With Flower Petals. Looks Pretty At The Moment!

LiteBriteJorge Report

#21

Yes Yes Yes!!

Yes Yes Yes!!

kabailey88 Report

#22

Honestly I’m Not Sure What They Expected

Honestly I’m Not Sure What They Expected

sparrowdronehsv Report

#23

Desire Path Spotted On The Campus Of Monster's University

Desire Path Spotted On The Campus Of Monster's University

jbauer777 Report

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#24

Found This As A Post On Facebook. Elephant Paths Anyone?

Found This As A Post On Facebook. Elephant Paths Anyone?

izurietavarea Report

#25

Does This Count? A Footpath So Badly Constructed Nobody Wants To Use It

Does This Count? A Footpath So Badly Constructed Nobody Wants To Use It

Gaudern Report

#26

Not Sure If This Is Allowed. Swimming Paths Made By A Moorhen On The Way To And From Its Nest

Not Sure If This Is Allowed. Swimming Paths Made By A Moorhen On The Way To And From Its Nest

bwl17 Report

#27

The Sidewalks On My School’s Quad Are Not Symmetrical Because They Were Installed Based On Where The Grass Was Worn Out…

The Sidewalks On My School’s Quad Are Not Symmetrical Because They Were Installed Based On Where The Grass Was Worn Out…

Maximum-Excitement58 Report

#28

One Step Desire Path. Shortest One Ever

One Step Desire Path. Shortest One Ever

IamsoberIswear Report

#29

My College Put Sod On The Path And Put Up A Sign. The Students Listened To The Sign And Created A Path Next To The Sod

My College Put Sod On The Path And Put Up A Sign. The Students Listened To The Sign And Created A Path Next To The Sod

TheSaifman Report

#30

She’s Made A Few Desire Paths. I Like This One The Most

She’s Made A Few Desire Paths. I Like This One The Most

clayts1983 Report

#31

Google Acknowledges The Desire Paths On Our Campus

Google Acknowledges The Desire Paths On Our Campus

tim_reheht Report

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#32

This Path In Russia Is Very Desired

This Path In Russia Is Very Desired

mysticalmisogynistic Report

#33

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

wsmason Report

#34

Was Told To Post This Here, So Here I Am Posting This Here

Was Told To Post This Here, So Here I Am Posting This Here

abc123987xyz Report

#35

Squirrel Desire Path

Squirrel Desire Path

periwinkle-pangolin Report

#36

Well Worn Wall Mart Path. Deepest I've Ever Seen

Well Worn Wall Mart Path. Deepest I've Ever Seen

reddit.com Report

#37

It Seems We Desire A Sidewalk

It Seems We Desire A Sidewalk

juuler Report

#38

People Made A Desire Pentagram Inside A Big Roundabout

People Made A Desire Pentagram Inside A Big Roundabout

reddit.com Report

#39

My Dad Shoveled A Path But The Rest Of The Family Decided It Was Too Far

My Dad Shoveled A Path But The Rest Of The Family Decided It Was Too Far

TrekkieTay Report

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#40

This Desire Path Has Slowly Disappeared Now That No One Is Coming To The Office Due To Covid... Wonder How Many Others Are Disappearing

This Desire Path Has Slowly Disappeared Now That No One Is Coming To The Office Due To Covid... Wonder How Many Others Are Disappearing

trishayyy10 Report

#41

Restrictions In Poland Hitting Hard

Restrictions In Poland Hitting Hard

kilhart Report

#42

If This Isn't A Big Enough Sign That You Need To Trim Your Hedges More Often I Don't Know What Is

If This Isn't A Big Enough Sign That You Need To Trim Your Hedges More Often I Don't Know What Is

poshbo Report

#43

My Moms Path For Entering And Leaving The Lake

My Moms Path For Entering And Leaving The Lake

patprika Report

#44

Extreme Desire Path

Extreme Desire Path

fremastr Report

#45

Technical University Delft (Nl) Paved All Desire Paths

Technical University Delft (Nl) Paved All Desire Paths

thsvnlwn Report

#46

What Am I To Do With The 2 Seconds I Saved Today?

What Am I To Do With The 2 Seconds I Saved Today?

casbul Report

#47

My University Giving Into The Desire Path

My University Giving Into The Desire Path

rillweed Report

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#48

Check Out The Size Of This Absolute Unit

Check Out The Size Of This Absolute Unit

rcw12627 Report

#49

Dutch Anti-Cobblestone Bicycle Desire Path

Dutch Anti-Cobblestone Bicycle Desire Path

rinkbgood Report

#50

This Attempt At Making A Pathway Through A Park

This Attempt At Making A Pathway Through A Park

altacan Report

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#51

I Took This Two Years Ago But Just Discovered The Sub So I Thought I'd Share. Just A Bike Path Behind My Old School

I Took This Two Years Ago But Just Discovered The Sub So I Thought I'd Share. Just A Bike Path Behind My Old School

Chinesemexican Report

#52

I’ve Never Seen A More Concise Or Humorous Example Of This Sub In Real Life

I’ve Never Seen A More Concise Or Humorous Example Of This Sub In Real Life

Bank_Gothic Report

#53

Been Walking To Work Everyday For 2 Years And I Just Realized I’ve Been Making My Own Path

Been Walking To Work Everyday For 2 Years And I Just Realized I’ve Been Making My Own Path

shadknight20 Report

#54

The Real Path Does Not Even Exist Anymore

The Real Path Does Not Even Exist Anymore

Dekubitus Report

#55

A Slavic Desire Path That Is Toll Free

A Slavic Desire Path That Is Toll Free

Snowstandards Report

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#56

There’s A Sign Here That Says "Cyclists Dismount"

There’s A Sign Here That Says "Cyclists Dismount"

Samanthoss Report

#57

Will You Take The Desire Stairs Or The Desire Ramp? (South Downs, England)

Will You Take The Desire Stairs Or The Desire Ramp? (South Downs, England)

odious_odes Report

#58

Somebody Really Thought This Design Would Be A Good Idea

Somebody Really Thought This Design Would Be A Good Idea

user3723 Report

#59

"Two Roads Diverged In A Yellow Wood"--One Shaves 250 Yards Off The Paved Trail. (See The Satellite Inset To Appreciate This One.)

"Two Roads Diverged In A Yellow Wood"--One Shaves 250 Yards Off The Paved Trail. (See The Satellite Inset To Appreciate This One.)

w3woody Report

#60

Does This Count? Ants Walking The Same Path Over And Over Again Made A Mark On These Dusty Tiles

Does This Count? Ants Walking The Same Path Over And Over Again Made A Mark On These Dusty Tiles

YAZEED-IX Report

#61

Bollards Were Installed Last Week At My Estate, Meaning All 450 Houses Have To Use One Road To Exit. In The Wise Words Of That Bloke From The Dinosaur Film "Life Uh, Finds A Way"

Bollards Were Installed Last Week At My Estate, Meaning All 450 Houses Have To Use One Road To Exit. In The Wise Words Of That Bloke From The Dinosaur Film "Life Uh, Finds A Way"

UnicornTurtle_ Report

#62

The Path My Dog Created So She Can Say Hi To Her Neighbor

The Path My Dog Created So She Can Say Hi To Her Neighbor

LedZepCH2Os Report

#63

My Apartment Turned A Desire Path Into An Official Path

My Apartment Turned A Desire Path Into An Official Path

CraftySwinePhD Report

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#64

They Really Re-Sodded The Path

They Really Re-Sodded The Path

realGeorgeHuang Report

#65

Visitors At Parc Floral De Paris Prefer To Jump The Moat Instead Of Going The Long Way Back

Visitors At Parc Floral De Paris Prefer To Jump The Moat Instead Of Going The Long Way Back

MJ_Kuiper Report

#66

Dense Snow Melts Slower Than Regular Snow

Dense Snow Melts Slower Than Regular Snow

acceidalby Report

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#67

No, I Don’t Think I Will

No, I Don’t Think I Will

JesusSaves002 Report

#68

Virtual Desire Path In Red Dead Redemption 2

Virtual Desire Path In Red Dead Redemption 2

ADTR20 Report

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#69

This Absolute Unit On The Left And His Little Brother On The Right

This Absolute Unit On The Left And His Little Brother On The Right

Maarus Report

#70

One Of The Best I’ve Seen Irl. Taken In February

One Of The Best I’ve Seen Irl. Taken In February

wake-upmrwest Report

#71

I'm Putting Desire Paths Everywhere I Don't Follow My Paths In Animal Crossing

I'm Putting Desire Paths Everywhere I Don't Follow My Paths In Animal Crossing

illithidfucker69 Report

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#72

My Dog's Everyday Path

My Dog's Everyday Path

Velnica Report

#73

What Is This, A Desire Path For Ants?!

What Is This, A Desire Path For Ants?!

not_taylor Report

#74

In North Korea Satellite Imagery You Can Clearly See Where People Walk Across Deserted Motorways

In North Korea Satellite Imagery You Can Clearly See Where People Walk Across Deserted Motorways

Tranquilwhirlpool Report

#75

What Is This, A Desire Path For Ducks?! Yes, Actually

What Is This, A Desire Path For Ducks?! Yes, Actually

OnlyMakingNoise Report

#76

These Stairs Are Terrible, I Hate Using Them. Each Step Is Like Half The Height Of A Normal Step, But They're Too Wide To Comfortably Take Two At A Time

These Stairs Are Terrible, I Hate Using Them. Each Step Is Like Half The Height Of A Normal Step, But They're Too Wide To Comfortably Take Two At A Time

WardedThorn Report

#77

When Desire Becomes Reality

When Desire Becomes Reality

AirlineFlyer Report

#78

Social Distancing In London

Social Distancing In London

Kekkiem Report

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#79

Kids Cheating In This Hedge Maze

Kids Cheating In This Hedge Maze

vixenblitzen Report

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#80

There’s So Much Going On Here

There’s So Much Going On Here

furanfenko Report

#81

“Avoid The Bend” Desire Path From England

“Avoid The Bend” Desire Path From England

Barborka01 Report

#82

Do Moles Count? The Path Is Out Of Sight, But Implied... I Sat And Waited For Half An Hour Before Movement Resumed On The Last Mound

Do Moles Count? The Path Is Out Of Sight, But Implied... I Sat And Waited For Half An Hour Before Movement Resumed On The Last Mound

High-Plains-Grifter Report

#83

This One Is Bound To Cause Some Heavy Breathing For You All

This One Is Bound To Cause Some Heavy Breathing For You All

KismetKeys Report

#84

My Friend Sent Me This Desire Path

My Friend Sent Me This Desire Path

On-The-Clock Report

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#85

London Desire Path Is So Dry It’s Becoming A Desire Canyon

London Desire Path Is So Dry It’s Becoming A Desire Canyon

Fingertippytaps Report

#86

The University Said No

The University Said No

wubbalubbachubnub_ Report

#87

I Needed A Miracle To Make It To Class On Time, And Here Is That Miracle

I Needed A Miracle To Make It To Class On Time, And Here Is That Miracle

chemical_refraction Report

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#88

A Path So Desired That The Hill Has Been Eroded Away 🙏

A Path So Desired That The Hill Has Been Eroded Away 🙏

brettwestbrook Report

#89

Girlfriend Found "One Of Those Pathy Thingies You Showed Me"

Girlfriend Found "One Of Those Pathy Thingies You Showed Me"

BreakawayPAK Report

#90

Underwater Path Created By People Walkin Through About 2 Feet Of Water To Get To That Stone At A St Patrick's Well In Ireland

Underwater Path Created By People Walkin Through About 2 Feet Of Water To Get To That Stone At A St Patrick's Well In Ireland

5years8months3days Report

#91

This Walmart Parking Lot

This Walmart Parking Lot

unroja Report

#92

Do People Finger Tracing Their Desired Path Count?

Do People Finger Tracing Their Desired Path Count?

Earth_Worm_Jimbo Report

#93

Desire Staircase

Desire Staircase

RHouse650 Report

#94

Doggo Path

Doggo Path

Spicycliche Report

#95

So Popular It’s Worn Down The Hump

So Popular It’s Worn Down The Hump

xrebelstarfishx Report

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#96

One Of My Favorite Local Desirepaths. Over A Small Stream, On Industrial Pipe

One Of My Favorite Local Desirepaths. Over A Small Stream, On Industrial Pipe

akup11 Report

#97

Desire Paths Left By People Walking Away And Stumbling Back To Their Tents At Glastonbury

Desire Paths Left By People Walking Away And Stumbling Back To Their Tents At Glastonbury

alvin_stardust Report

#98

Prison Football Pitch

Prison Football Pitch

DrSepulveda Report

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#99

My Neighbor Has Worn This Path To His Car Over 9 Months

My Neighbor Has Worn This Path To His Car Over 9 Months

RooneyEatsIt Report

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#100

The Rarely Seen Vehicular Desire Path

The Rarely Seen Vehicular Desire Path

reddit.com Report

#101

The Path My Dog Takes Every Day To Visit The Neigbors

The Path My Dog Takes Every Day To Visit The Neigbors

yaboijimboslice Report

#102

I Pass This Desire Path Often And Every Time I Laugh At How Completely Pointless It Is

I Pass This Desire Path Often And Every Time I Laugh At How Completely Pointless It Is

reddit.com Report

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