The invention discloses a method and apparatus for realizing path management. When local routing, embodied by a direct tunnel, of a terminal fails, a wireless side network element/service gateway serving as a opposite communication terminal of the terminal is notified to release direct tunnel information. Therefore, the path management technology is realized. When the local routing, embodied by the direct tunnel, of the terminal fails, path management can be carried out effectively by the opposite communication terminal, thereby realizing path releasing.