In the race to the top, zigzagging is more efficient than a straight line

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Trails used by humans exhibit zigzags or switchbacks when they traverse steep hillsides such as this on in Mallorca Spain. Credit: Martin Llobera
Trails used by humans exhibit zigzags, or switchbacks, when they traverse steep hillsides, such as this on in Mallorca, Spain. Credit: Martin Llobera

A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it isn’t necessarily the fastest or easiest path to follow.


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