In one embodiment, a method includes generating a path validation packet at a network device, the path validation packet including a plurality of segment identifiers for use in segment routing and an operations, administration, and management (OAM) segment identifier for use in path validation, transmitting from the network device the path validation packet on a path having a plurality of routers associated with the segment identifiers, one of the routers associated with the OAM segment identifier, and validating the path if a return path validation packet is received. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.