The term "public right of way" means a way over land where members of the public have a right to pass and repass and to enjoy activities that are "reasonably incidental".
This means (subject to the different categories of public rights of way described below) that you can walk, cycle or ride on the right of way.
You can take children in a buggy, pram or push-chair and you can stop to rest, have a picnic, enjoy the view take photographs etc.
You can take your dog of course but they should be under close control, particularly around livestock, and stay with you on the right of way. There are restrictions on dogs on some Open Access land.
Public Footpaths are limited to walkers, they are a right of way on foot only, but this includes wheelchairs and mobility scooters (though the extent of suitable access might of course be determined by the natural landscape).
Public Bridleways are rights of way for walkers (as above) and horse riders and cyclists. On mixed use routes consideration for others is to be expected of all users. Cyclists are generally required to give way to other users.
Byways Open to All Traffic are (in addition to all of the above) a right of way for motor vehicles.
But they often follow old unsealed lanes or tracks making them mainly suitable for walkers, cyclists or horse riders. Some of the byways in the Borough are subject to prohibition of driving orders that prevent their use by motor vehicles.
All public rights of way should be fairly easy to find and follow.
They should be signposted where they leave a road and have directional signs or "way-markers" along the route to help you to find your way.
Public footpaths are usually way-marked with yellow arrows, bridleways with blue arrows and byways with red arrows.
There may be additional way-markers or variations in design when the path or way that you are following is part of a named trail. The best example is the acorn logo that marks the Cleveland Way National Trail.
Ordnance Survey maps are the ideal way to find public rights of way, open access land and other useful information for visiting the countryside.
They are usually available in most bookshops and from some newsagents. Outdoor Leisure No.26 (North York Moors Western Area) and Outdoor Leisure No.27 (North York Moors Eastern Area) cover most of the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland, apart from a small area around Redcar and Marske which is shown in Ordnance Survey Explorer No.306.
You'll always get more out of your visit to the countryside if you plan ahead, think about others and take care of the natural environment. The Countryside Code gives helpful information and advice.