In Appalachian and Southern speech, a "pig trail" is a tiny, winding back road or path, often rough and rural. It’s the colorful country way of saying "back road" or "goat path," especially when it’s narrow enough to feel like an animal trail.
I never heard 'pig trail' 'til I was a grown up, so it might be regional.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I never heard 'pig trail' 'til I was a grown up, so it might be regional.
Pronunciation
[PIG trayl]
Meaning & Usage
- A narrow, winding back road (noun/dialect)
Choosing a route
Mae:
Which way y’all takin’?
Earl:
The pig trail - it’s quicker than the main road.
- A rough or unofficial path (noun/dialect)
Walking through woods
Mae:
Is there a trail down to the creek?
Earl:
Sorta - just a pig trail through the brush.
variations: goat path
★ "Pig trail" evokes the image of hogs winding through the hills. Southerners use it for any skinny, twisting road - especially those the GPS won’t find. It signals both rural life and insider knowledge. ★
Origin and Etymology
From literal animal trails worn by pigs rooting through hillsides and pastures. In rural Southern/Appalachian speech it expanded to mean any narrow, twisting back road, first documented in the early 20th century and still widely used.
Usage Notes
Still common in Southern/Appalachian talk. Outsiders usually call it a "back road" or "goat path," but "pig trail" carries more local color and humor. In Arkansas there’s even a scenic byway officially nicknamed "The Pig Trail."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "pig trail." Sometimes plural: "pig trails."
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
I never heard 'pig trail' 'til I was a grown up, so it might be regional. 
