Learn French: En raison de la marée, le sentier est fermé.

En raison de translates to 'due to' or 'on account of.' It is used to state an objective, neutral cause, which is perfect for official notices like trail closures. À cause de is more common in everyday speech but often carries a negative, blame-shifting tone.

Since the lesson also teaches compte tenu de, could I use it here instead?

You could, but it changes the nuance. En raison de identifies the direct cause ('due to the tide'). Compte tenu de means 'considering' or 'taking into account.' So, compte tenu de la marée would mean 'taking the tide into account, the trail is closed,' focusing on the decision-making process rather than the direct physical cause.

What type of word must follow en raison de in sentences like this?

It must be followed by a noun phrase, like la marée (the tide), or a pronoun. You cannot put a conjugated verb right after en raison de. If you need to use a verb to explain the cause, you must switch to a conjunction like parce que or étant donné que.

What is the difference between le sentier and le chemin?

Un sentier specifically refers to a narrow, unpaved path or trail, usually in nature like a hiking trail or a coastal path. Un chemin is a broader term for any path, way, track, or small dirt road.