Recurring crossword clue · multiple possible answers

Path crossword clue

Editorially reviewed August 20, 2026

Best starting answer

Start with WAY for three letters, LANE or ROAD for four, ROUTE or TRAIL for five, and COURSE for six. Motion or astronomy context may instead require ORBIT or TRAJECTORY.

Path answers by length

The correct fill depends on the number of squares, crossing letters, and the sense intended by the setter.

3 letters

WAYA route, direction, method, or course from one point or state to another.

ARCA curved path followed by a moving or projected object.

4 letters

LANEA narrow road, track, or marked path for travel.

ROADAn established path or route for vehicles, people, or trade.

LINEA continuous direction or path along which something moves or extends.

WALKA path or route intended especially for pedestrians.

5 letters

ROUTEA planned or established path from one place to another.

TRAILA rough or marked path through natural terrain.

TRACKA beaten path, set course, or line followed by something moving.

AISLEA passage or walking path between rows of seats, shelves, or displays.

ORBITThe curved path of an object around a planet, star, or other body.

BYWAYA minor road or less-traveled path away from a main route.

TRACEA faint path, line, or course that can be followed.

6 letters

COURSEThe route, direction, or progression followed by movement or action.

AVENUEA broad road, approach, or figurative path toward a goal.

CAREERA long-term professional course or path through working life.

STREETA public road or urban path lined by buildings.

7 letters

PATHWAYA path for walking or a sequence connecting stages in a process.

WALKWAYA constructed passage or path reserved for pedestrians.

PASSAGEA route, corridor, or way through or between places.

CHANNELA defined path through which water, signals, or activity moves.

ROADWAYThe part of a road used as a path for vehicles.

CIRCUITA closed path, route, or complete course around an area or system.

8 letters

FOOTPATHA path intended for people traveling on foot.

APPROACHA route toward a place or a method for reaching an objective.

9 letters

DIRECTIONThe course or path along which someone or something proceeds.

ITINERARYA planned route or sequence of places in a journey.

10 letters

TRAJECTORYThe path followed by a moving object through space or over time.

12 letters

THOROUGHFAREA public road or passage forming a major path through a place.

Meanings to check

A trodden trail, track, footpath, or way made by repeated walking.
A constructed walkway, aisle, passage, lane, road, or other travel surface.
A route, course, direction, or itinerary from one place to another.
The line, arc, orbit, circuit, or trajectory followed by a moving object.
A figurative course of action, career direction, way of life, or sequence through a network.

Common Path clue variants

path 5 letters crossword clue

Several common five-letter answers fit different contexts; crossings separate a general route from a natural trail, marked track, aisle, orbit, or byway.

ROUTE5 lettersTRAIL5 lettersTRACK5 lettersAISLE5 lettersORBIT5 lettersBYWAY5 lettersTRACE5 letters

path through woods crossword clue

Woodland wording points toward a natural walking route rather than a road or abstract course, with length distinguishing trail, track, pathway, and footpath.

TRAIL5 lettersTRACK5 lettersPATHWAY7 lettersFOOTPATH8 letters

flight path crossword clue

An aircraft, projectile, or celestial-object clue uses path as a course of motion; the geometry and answer length determine the exact term.

ARC3 lettersROUTE5 lettersORBIT5 lettersCOURSE6 lettersTRAJECTORY10 letters

career path crossword clue

Career or life wording is figurative and asks for a professional course, general way, or longer-term direction rather than a physical trail.

WAY3 lettersCOURSE6 lettersCAREER6 lettersDIRECTION9 letters

garden path crossword clue

Garden context favors a pedestrian feature, from a short walk or trail to a constructed walkway, pathway, or footpath.

WALK4 lettersTRAIL5 lettersPATHWAY7 lettersWALKWAY7 lettersFOOTPATH8 letters