Paths

Paths provide cohesion to your woodland, as well as introducing new textures and colours. These can be left with the natural soil or made from gravel, bark chips, sand, timber and other materials. 

Creating pathways and open spaces in your woodland creates woodland edge habitats, where the mix of sunlight, exposure and some shelter combine to create a high level of species diversity. A ride is a linear trackway such as a path, designed for access. Rides that run east to west will gain the most sunshine. Sunny woodland rides will allow plants to flower as well as being a habitat for insects and reptiles. Glorious Woodlands will check the wind direction, as creating a ride in the wrong direction will create a wind tunnel which damages trees.

To increase the sunlight in your woodland, Glorious Woodlands will open up rides and glades. This is a helpful way to increase light without felling trees which requires a license and access for machinery and vehicles.

Having a wide track with grassy margins is useful for vehicle access as well as providing another habitat for wildlife. If vehicle access can be limited to times when the ground conditions are suitable, there may not be any need for surfacing material.