Road
Roads appear in nearly every Zelda game, but they only play a role in The Adventure of Link and Ocarina of Time. They connect the various towns and other important locations in Hyrule, as just about any roads do.
The Adventure of Link
Roads in The Adventure of Link are simply plain, light brown spaces in the overworld. If Link stays on the road, enemy silhouettes will not appear. If Link strays from the road, enemy silhouettes will appear and make chase. If Link returns to the road when they catch up to him, there will be no enemies in the battle screen, just a desert-like background. Fairies, however, can still be encountered on road spaces.
Ocarina of Time
The function of roads in The Adventure of Link makes a cameo in Ocarina of Time. If Young Link wanders around Hyrule Field at night, skeletal Stalchildren will appear from the ground and attack him. However, if he stays on the dirt roads that crisscross the field, the Stalchildren will not appear.