Don't Leave the Path

"'Do we really have to go through?' groaned the hobbit.

'Yes, you do!' said [Gandalf], 'if you want to get to the other side. You must either go through or give up your quest.'

...'No! no!' said Bilbo. 'I didn't mean that. I meant, is there no way round?'

...'There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go. ... Good-bye! Be good, take care of yourselves--and DON'T LEAVE THE PATH!'"

The Hobbit, chapter 7
by J.R.R. Tolkein