Choose to avoid odd parts of towpath (3)
I believe the answer is:
opt
'choose' is the definition.
(both can mean to pick something)
'odd parts of towpath' is the wordplay.
'odd parts of' indicates alternate letters.
The alternate letters of 'towpath' are 'OPT'.
'to avoid' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for opt that I've seen before include "Prefer, choose" , "Decide between possibilities, choose" , "Plump for" , "Choose from pot" , "Pick from pot" .)