off-trailadv.adj.
/ˌɒfˈtreɪl/, /ˈɒftreɪl/, U.S. /ˈɔfˈtreɪl/, /ˈɑfˈtreɪl/ A. adv.
Off a trail or path; away from an established route.
ΚΠ
1899 Overland Monthly Aug. 118/1 Bettles came off trail in the midst of the excitement, descending upon them in a hurricane of frost.
1967 N. Mailer Why are we in Vietnam? viii. 141 Grizzer kerwhonked half in air from the blast, took leap, hop, howl, one mad bound off trail.
1991 Backpacker Apr. 38/1 They generally upgraded the path so hikers would be less tempted to tramp off-trail and further devastate the tundra.
2001 Adventure Trav. July 76/1 On the popular trekking routes, food is available in lodges and tea houses; off-trail it's dhal bhaat or nothing.
B. adj.
That is or takes place away from a trail; spec. (of a sport, activity, etc.) conducted away from an established or conventional route. Also (and in earliest use) figurative: different to that which is accepted or usual; unorthodox.
ΚΠ
1959 W. R. Fraser Philos. & Phenomenol. Res. 19 522 There are so few ‘outsiders’ who have their novels published and still fewer who have ‘off-trail’ novels read.
1983 Business Week (Nexis) 1 Aug. 100 The internal-frame packs are better for off-trail hiking.
1994 Trav. Guide Newfoundland & Labrador 203/1 Twenty two runs provide a variety of groomed and off trail skiing.
2000 Tulsa (Oklahoma) World (Nexis) 28 Jan. This winning CD is an off-trail delight.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.1899