A government inspector has decided that a footpath shall remain public after years of uncertainty.
The footpath in question stretches over Summerhouse Hill at Barwick, which is just outside Yeovil.
The landowner is said to have erected signs in an attempt to deter people from using it despite the county council's Definitive Map labelling it as a public footpath.
An application to have the footpath reclassified was made some time ago, and the county council was initially willing to go along with the landowner's request.
But the situation changed when the proposal was advertised. Many members of the public came forward to say they had used the footpath on a regular basis before the Definitive Map was prepared.
This led to a change of mind by the county, which decided to try and retain the "public" classification.
A three-day public inquiry was held late last year, and the inquiry inspector came back last week to say that the footpath does carry public rights and should remain open.
Council official Rowena Smith said: "This decision will be welcomed by the local people as the footpath provides a delightful walk."