A
towpath is a
road or
track that runs alongside the banks of a
river,
canal or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to pull a
boat, often a
barge, behind a land
vehicle, beasts of burden or a team of
human pullers. This mode of transport was common before efficient engines could be fitted on boats and where
sailing was impossible due to rapid
current or unfavourable
winds.