Our main aim is to improve the network of rights of way, especially footpaths, bridleways and green lanes, in the valley, and to encourage their use. The Footpaths committee:

• organises a programme of guided walks, which are free to members and non-members alike

• provides information for walkers, including the book "12 Walks in the Otter Valley"

•  writes articles on rights of way for the OVA newsletter and for parish newsletters

• monitors the condition of rights of way, and arranges parties of volunteers to clear overgrown routes, repair stiles and signposts etc.

organises special interest walks those interested in, for example, sketching, birds or fungi (see picture opposite) contacts landowners and the County Council about possible improvements in the network of rights of way, for example the provision of cycle tracks and of routes for disabled people and the introduction of permissive paths helps parishes with advice concerning rights of way prepares, where parishes request, the annual Public Right of Way reports which parishes are required to file with the County Council assists the Parish Paths Partnership by which some of the parishes in the valley take over administration of their own rights of way from the County Council.