switchbacks
Trail's sharp reversals
Switchbacks are sharp zigzag turns in a road or trail, typically on a steep slope where a straight path would be too steep to navigate.
Mountain roads and hiking trails use switchbacks to gain elevation gradually: The trail made a dozen switchbacks before reaching the summit.
The term also applies to roller coasters with similar zigzag patterns.
Curving in repeated bends
- hairpinU-shaped fastener for tresses
- ascentUpward movement
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
incline · grade · steep · elevation · climb · traverse · contour · gradient
Angled back-and-forth path
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- curveSmooth, angleless line
- bendCurve or flex
turn · loop · meander · twist · coil · configuration · layout · pattern
Path through wilderness
- pathRoute for traveling
- footpathRoute for pedestrians
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
- backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
scramble · summit · wilderness · outdoors · scenic · ridge · valley · alpine
Path from A to B
- directionWay something faces
- coursePlanned path forward
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
map · bearing · navigate · guide · reroute · detour · pathfinding · orientation
serpentine
Curving in repeated bends
slope · incline · grade · steep · elevation · climb · traverse · contour · gradient · pitch
zigzag
Angled back-and-forth path
- windingCurving repeatedly, sinuous
- serpentineCurving in repeated bends
- curveSmooth, angleless line
bend · turn · loop · meander · twist · coil · configuration · layout · pattern · construction
trail
Path through wilderness
backpacking · scramble · summit · wilderness · outdoors · scenic · ridge · valley · alpine · backcountry
route
Path from A to B
- directionWay something faces
- coursePlanned path forward
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
GPS · map · bearing · navigate · guide · reroute · detour · pathfinding · orientation · ascend
- hikingtrail, hike, hiker, trails, day hikes
- hiking termshiking trails, trailhead, summit, marker, blaze
- mountain hikingmountain trails, summit trail, ridgeline, trailhead, trail map
- mountain lifeyodeling, alpine skiing, skiing, hiking, snowboarding
- off-roadingoff-road, 4x4s, ATVs, 4WD, four-wheel drive
- Backpackingbackpack, trail, backpacking, pack, sleeping pad
switchbacksdirect route
Straightest path available
straight path · beeline · straight shot · as the crow flies · straight line
switchbacksscramble
Mix into disorder
staircase · steep climb · steep grade · vertical climb · cliff face