Circuitous routes refer to indirect or winding paths taken to reach a destination. There are several synonyms for this phrase, including convoluted, meandering, roundabout, twisted, serpentine, devious, and labyrinthine. These words all suggest that the path taken is not straightforward or direct. They may connote a certain degree of complexity or confusion, as if the route taken has many twists and turns that make it difficult to navigate. This type of language is often used to describe physical paths, such as roads or hiking trails, as well as metaphorical paths, such as the process of achieving a goal or completing a project.