The paths less travelled

Footpath erosion in Britain’s walking hotspots costs millions in repairs each year and is permanently changing the face of our most cherished natural landmarks. Check out Mark Rowe’s full report on in the winter issue of walk, or read on for a sample of his alternatives to the most popular routes…

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HOTSPOT Mam Tor, Peak District, England
Erosion has led to deep scars on the mountainside and paths being closed with temporary routes opened up. The National Trust had to pave the summit area to bind it against further erosion, making it hard to decipher a Bronze Age tumulus by the trig point.

ALTERNATIVE Win Hill
You would have to set out at 3am to have anywhere in the Peak District truly to yourself, but Win Hill — a hop, skip and a jump along from Mam Tor — sees fewer visitors than its neighbour. At 462m/1,516ft, it is only 50m/104ft lower, so the views are just as clear, and unarguably better, looking east towards Derwent Edge. One of the best routes up is from the Yorkshire Bridge close to the Ladybower Reservoir. Coming down, weave your way through the deciduous woodland or just keep heading west, bouncing along the hilltops of the ridge to the crowds on Mam Tor.

FURTHER INFO www.peakdistrict.org

bennevis HOTSPOT Ben Nevis, Highlands, Scotland
Erosion on both tracks up the mountain requires constant maintenance, currently funded by a £300,000 grant from the European Regional Development Fund. Cabins have been airlifted halfway up to enable footpath teams to work five-day shifts. The Nevis Partnership, which oversees environmental management, has proposed extending one path to reduce damage.

ALTERNATIVE Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag
Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag form the two summits of an extensive north-south ridge. Aonach Beag (the more southerly), stands 1,234m/4,048ft high, and is 3km/ 2 miles east of Ben Nevis, on the north side of Glen Nevis. Usually accessed from the car park at the end of the road in Glen Nevis, you can climb the mountain from the north side, but you’ll encounter the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola (built for the ski industry), which cuts the hike in half. Aonach Mor is 1,221m/4,006ft high and usually climbed together with its neighbour. The walk offers superb views towards Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg.

FURTHER INFO www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk

scafell

HOTSPOT Scafell Pike, Lake District, England
All the main paths suffer from erosion, although this is less of a problem close to the summit, which comprises bare rock and rubble. Even so, in places, mechanical diggers have been used to secure rubble tracks that are more resilient to heavy use. The Fix the Fells project aims to repair 14 paths in the Lakes each year.

ALTERNATIVE Ennerdale Water
Perhaps the best way to enjoy the scenery of the peaks here without the crowds is to make for lonely Ennerdale Water. Remote and time-consuming to reach, there is really only one walk here: a circular trail around its shores that requires the occasional bit of clambering. For an elevated view, make the short detour from the lakeside path up Bowness Knott for sneaking views of Pillar, Great Gable and the Scafell range.

FURTHER INFO www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

people

HOTSPOT Snowdon, Snowdonia, Wales
There are seven main routes up Snowdon and the national park funds two dedicated footpath teams. Last year, more than 90,000 people walked each of the Llanberis, Pyg and Miners’ Track routes. General erosion maintenance has cost £6.5 million in the past eight years.

ALTERNATIVE Carneddau Mountains
Located just to the north-east of Snowdon, this is Snowdonia scenery without the crowds. There are spectacular mountain tops, with seven peaks above 900m/2,953ft and views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey. Routes are accessible through the Ogwen valley from both the A5 and Bethesda.

FURTHER INFO www.snowdonia-npa.gov.uk