How to say "trail" in Japanese

• コースJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'trail' as a route or path to follow, such as a hiking, jogging, or cycling trail. Use it when 'trail' means the course itself rather than evidence or dragging.
  車くるまはコースをはずれた。↗

  The car veered from its course.
• 引きずるひきずるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers the verb sense of 'trail': to drag something along the ground behind, as when a long hem or scarf trails. It is about dragging, not about routes or clues.
  私は重おもい荷物にもつを空港くうこうまで引ひきずって行いった。↗

  I dragged the heavy baggage to the airport.
• 手がかりてがかりJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'trail' as a clue or lead to follow in a search or investigation. It is really 'clue' or 'lead' — use it when 'trail' means evidence pointing toward someone or something.
  その殺人者さつじんしゃの正体しょうたいは手掛てがかりがまったくなかった。↗

  There was no clue as to the identity of the murderer.
• 足取りあしどりCommon
  nounA marginal match for 'trail': the word really means a trace or track of someone's movements, such as a hunted criminal's route, rather than a path to walk or a clue to follow.
  警察けいさつは容疑者ようぎしゃの足取あしどりがまだつかめていない。↗

  The police have found no trace of the suspect yet.

For 'trail' as a route use 「コース」; for dragging something along the ground use 「引きずる」; for a trail as a clue or lead use 「手がかり」; 「足取り」 is a marginal match, really a trace of someone's movements.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• コースcourse
• 引きずるひきずるto drag
• 手がかりてがかりclue
• トレイルtrail
• たなびくto trail (of smoke, clouds, etc.)
• 踏み跡ふみあとfootprints
• 臭跡しゅうせきscent
• 光跡こうせきtraces of a moving light
• 散歩道さんぽみちpromenade
• 這うはうto trail (of vines, flowers, etc.)
• 足取りあしどりtrace (e.g. of route taken by hunted criminal)