There is a wide range of landscapes in the county, for example chalk, limestone grassland, wetlands, woodlands, and hedgerows, which are covered by a network of easily accessible routes.

Cambridgeshire County Council works with other organisations, land managers, and district and parish councils to maintain the rights of way and improve access for all, promote new areas of greenspace, and protect and enhance wildlife. We also provide information to help you indulge in your own countryside pursuits.

To protect and preserve the countryside for people to enjoy we:

• maintain, improve and promote access to the countryside
• keep the legal record of registered rights of way (the Definitive Map and Statement) under continuous review
• ensure that Council policies for landscape and biodiversity are implemented
• respond to planning applications
• improve county wildlife sites 
• work with others to deliver the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and biodiversity action plans
  

Cambridgeshire's Local Access Forum needs new members.

Do you want to help shape the future of countryside access? Your help is needed, so why not join the Forum?

Apply today - closing date for current vacancies is Thursday 20 March. Check out the LAF pages for further information and an application form.

Why not volunteer?

You can help us protect and improve the countryside. Why not volunteer with your parish in the Parish Paths Partnership (P3) Scheme, and improve your local rights of way, or join a wildlife and environment group?

Take extra care in the countryside

If you are using the public paths in the countryside this winter then please take care when walking near rivers, ditches and drains.

Due to the recent wet weather many areas of the county have seen rising water levels and these may cause localised flooding and make walking on some routes difficult. If you are planning on using the rights of way network then please be aware of potential water hazards in the county.

Path closures and access to the countryside during work on the Guided Busway

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is currently being built and will improve access to the countryside with a parallel bridleway/cycleway. It will also provide access by public transport to the popular RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes reserve.

During construction, it will be necessary to temporarily close paths at times for safety reasons. To find out about what is open and what is closed, consult the Guided Busway web pages using the link on the right.

Seasonal Traffic Regulation Orders

From October until April, a new seasonal Traffic Regulation Order prohibits the driving on the byway network from Lambs Cross, Westwick, across the Old West River to Aldreth and Haddenham. This restriction has been agreed to protect the surface from damage by inappropriate recreational motor use during the winter months. Pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can still enjoy these paths.