switchback

Encyclopedia Article

Article

A sharp bend in a road, path, trail, or even railroad that results in a zigzag movement through time and space, usually in order to travel up or down a mountain. Although switchbacks, also referred to as doglegs, add time and distance to a route, they lessen the amount of vertical climb or descent accomplished over a given distance.

Photo Credit: 

 
"The Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, October 7, 2014" by Robbie Shade is licensed under CC BY.

Published Works: 
The Blessing Way (1970)
Listening Woman (1978)
Term Type: 
Built Environment Reference