I live in the middle of nowhere and there are cows all over the place. Often, they are literally on the road - dozens of them.
Did you know that you are 40 times more likely to be killed by a cow than by a bull? This is especially the case if they have young. Many people have been trampled by cows. They can run fast and will work together to surround you. They can turn quickly. If one of them decides to butt you or barge you, you stand no chance.
It's even unsettling when a herd in a field decides to run alongside me: some of them tactically run ahead (they are faster than me) whilst some wait a bit behind. This is part of their group strategy to surround the person. If I was in the field, I'd end up in the middle of them with no way out.
When they are on the road, I don't take the risk; I turn around and change my route. I've heard too many horror stories.
I believe there are areas where they are a lot more used to humans and so are more tame. For instance, there's a Parkrun in Newcastle that goes straight through a field of cows with no problems. But in more remote areas, it can be a lot more dangerous.
Anyway, sounds like you had an adventure at least!
Christ. Walked through a field of cows in Alderley Edge 2 weeks ago. Told my fearful son that it's bulls one needs to worry about not lovely cows. They were all sat in the middle of the field watching over us as we kept to the fence after climbing the stocks.
Will consider a different route next time.