switchback
Mountain road zigzag
A switchback is a road or trail that zigzags up a steep slope, each segment reversing direction from the one before: The hiking trail switchbacked up the mountain.
The design reduces the grade, making ascent manageable for vehicles or hikers.
In British usage, a switchback can also mean a roller coaster.
As a verb, to switchback is to follow such a winding course.
U-shaped fastener for tresses
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- trailPath through wilderness
- ascentUpward movement
- descentDownward slope or lineage
traverse · climb · slope · path · trekking · backpacking · terrain · ridge
U-shaped fastener for tresses
- curveSmooth, angleless line
- bendCurve or flex
- gradientRate of change across space
- steepRising at sharp angle
turn · winding · serpentine · asphalt · pavement · guardrail · scenic drive · alpine road
U-shaped fastener for tresses
- climbAscend using effort
- gradientRate of change across space
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
gear · pedaling · ascent · steep · granny gear · elevation · mountain biking · uphill
Angled back-and-forth path
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- meanderTo travel without direction
- twistRotating motion or surprise
turn · bend · curve · angle · crisscross · undulating · sinuous · reversing
hairpin
U-shaped fastener for tresses
descent · traverse · climb · slope · path · trekking · backpacking · terrain · ridge · scramble
hairpin
U-shaped fastener for tresses
steep · turn · winding · serpentine · asphalt · pavement · guardrail · scenic drive · alpine road · pass
hairpin
U-shaped fastener for tresses
cadence · gear · pedaling · ascent · steep · granny gear · elevation · mountain biking · uphill · downhill
zigzag
Angled back-and-forth path
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- meanderTo travel without direction
twist · turn · bend · curve · angle · crisscross · undulating · sinuous · reversing · oscillating
- mountain roadsBlue Ridge Parkway, mountain pass, hairpin turn, incline, winding road
- hikingtrail, hike, hiker, trails, day hikes
- outdoor adventurebackpacking, camping, campsite, trail, mountaineering
- forest trailstrail, trails, hiking trail, dirt trail, nature trail
- hiking termshiking trails, trailhead, summit, marker, blaze
- hiking trailpath, dirt, mud, rocks, roots
switchbackstraight path
Undeviating linear route
direct route · straightaway · beeline · straight line · linear path
switchbacksteep climb
Sharply angled upward path
cliff face · ladder · fall line · staircase · escalator