Ridgeways

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of path or track traversing a ridge or hilltop, often used for walking, hiking, or riding
2. A route that follows the elevated terrain to connect different locations
3. A trail that utilizes the highest points in a landscape, providing scenic views and varying levels of difficulty

Etymology: "Ridgeways" is the plural of "ridgeway", a compound formed from "ridge" and "way". The first element traces back to Old English "hrycg", meaning the back or spine of an animal, and the sense of a long raised crest of land developed from that bodily meaning. "Way" is the older and more general word for a route or path, so a ridgeway is simply a path running along the crest of higher ground rather than through the valleys below. The compound is transparent: it describes exactly what the route is, which is why such trails are often named for their position on the land. The plural form simply refers to several such routes, as when a walker is planning a choice of ridgeways across a range of hills.

Synonyms: ridges, paths, tracks, trails, routes