Adopt a mountain path

A recently launched initiative is encouraging people to Adopt a Path in Scotland's National Parks.

The Adopt a Path initiative has been launched by The Mountains and The People Project and enables those passionate about Scotland's mountains to become custodians of their favourite routes.

If you are used to spending time outdoors, have a good level of physical fitness and are an experienced hill walker with good health and safety awareness then you are the type of person they are looking for.

You would be asked to do a visual path survey twice a year which would involve taking photographs of any issues and to report these issues via The Mountains and The People's online portal.  Full training on basic mountain awareness and recognising common path problems will be provided with the initial one-day sessions scheduled for the first weekend in September followed by further dates in the spring next year.  

Tom Wallace, Project Activity Manager explains:

"Adopt a Path volunteers are crucial in helping us to conserve our fragile upland landscapes by reporting on erosion damage and path issues thereby enabling us to target our maintenance activities to best effect.

"With paths available for adoption across both of Scotland’s National Parks there is something for everyone – from short and gentle to long and remote – once registered you choose which path you would like to adopt from over 60 available routes."

Led by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, The Mountains and The People project brings together both the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authorities alongside Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To play your part in the conservation of Scotland's national heritage, visit The Mountains and The People website.