Mountain
Path Programme
Strategic Need
Evidence of visitor numbers in Upper Deeside and elsewhere
in the Highlands (East Grampian and Lochnagar Visitor Study by
Mather 1995, The Cairngorm Mountain Recreation Study by SNH 2000,
path and traffic data collected by UDAT etc.) indicates relatively
stable but sustained high levels of use to the major access points
into the hills.
The 1995 Cairngorms Upland Footpath study by SNH and the Trust's
recently published Strategic Condition Survey in Upper Deeside clearly
demonstrate the need for a substantial programme of mountain path
repairs in the future. These include both paths which are grossly
damaged, and others which are currently in reasonable condition
but will deteriorate rapidly if no action is taken. The scale of
this task, the rate of deterioration and the levels of intervention
required to address this are more fully described in UDAT's Strategic
Conditions Survey 2000. Constraints and Opportunities
There are a range of practical constraints in delivering an effective
mountain path programme. They include assembling the substantial
funds required to do the work, the availability of a skilled workforce,
the limitation of suitable and applicable techniques, and the logistics
of operating contracts in remote mountain areas. Despite these difficulties,
a great deal of good work has already been achieved in the area,
and none of these constraints as yet should hinder an energetic
programme being pursued over the life of this plan and beyond. Vision
The vision is to maintain a rich and varied resource of mountain
paths and tracks which will continue to offer the highest quality
of experience, challenge and enjoyment to users. The resource includes
the most popular routes to Munros and tops in the area, the ancient
drove roads and passes through the major glens, as well as a wide
variety of highly valued but lesser used paths and tracks to other
hills and remoter glens. The aim is not to establish new hill paths or indeed to reconstruct
all damaged paths, particularly in sensitive places such as the
tops of mountains. Instead the focus will be to maintain the existing
extensive resource in as natural and sustainable a condition as
possible given the recreational pressures which exist. The guiding
principle will be minimum intervention wherever possible, applying
varying and appropriate levels of path management. UDAT's future programme will be determined using a coherent set
of criteria and will be applied consistently to identify both the
priorities and the appropriate techniques for repair. It will embrace
this "lighter touch" approach, giving greater emphasis
on low key pre-emptive pathwork and maintenance to prevent paths
deteriorating into a grossly damaged condition. The long term aim is to move towards a position where all mountain
paths in the area are periodically monitored, and where necessary
and deemed to be appropriate, are brought into a programme of active
management to reflect the varying levels of recreational use, path
dynamics and environmental impact in the area. This long-term aim
will take at least 10 years to achieve at the current rate of investment. Rationale
The benefits of a broader path programme and the use of different
solutions are many. Tackling the most damaged paths using an array
of techniques will continue to have a measurable impact on protecting
the natural heritage, reducing or eradicating unsightly erosion
scars on the landscape and keeping the majority of walkers to a
preferred pathline thus preventing further spread of wear. In some
cases containment may also reduce conflicts with stalking activities.
High quality path repairs can also significantly improve visitor
experience without removing the element of adventure or making access
easier. If a strategic programme of path repairs is not undertaken, current
levels of use will lead to further degradation of the resource,
compounded by natural processes, and significantly reduce the quality
of experience and impact on the high natural and cultural heritage
value of Upper Deeside. Ad-hoc repairs may contain the most serious
damage but would not represent best value for money of public resources.
Investment in low key path repairs and maintenance will prevent
further costly repairs occurring in future years and the need for
more intensive action. An integrated and pro-active mountain path
programme will lead the way for the proposed Cairngorms National
Park in protecting and enhancing the resource of mountain paths
for the future. Priorities
The Trust's strategic condition survey will help to identify overall
priorities and the levels of path management and intervention required
on individual routes in the area, and this will be the key tool
in guiding the plan. There will continue to be a need for a number
of major capital repair projects of popular mountain routes, but
this will be matched by other less intensive work as part of the
new plan.
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