1) Canal-side road 2) Canal-side trail 3) Path 4) Riverside trail 5) Towing path 6) Trail along a canal 7) Type of thoroughfare 1) Path 
A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge. This mode of transport was common where sailing was impractical due to tunnels and bridges, unfavourable winds, or the narrowness of th...
• (n.) A path traveled by men or animals in towing boats; -- called also towing path.
(from the article `canals and inland waterways`) Originally provided for animal haulage, towpaths were adapted on many French canals for mechanical and electrical haulage until the general use of ...
Tow'path` noun A path traveled by men or animals in towing boats; -- called also towing path . 
[n] - a path along a canal or river used by animals towing boats
towing path noun a path along a canal or river used by animals towing boats