Path Erosion – A Growing Issue

The growth in the popularity of hillwalking and other outdoor recreation activities is having an impact on Ireland’s upland environment. Once-faint paths have evolved into worn and muddy lines, with the worst damage on blanket peat and steep ground. As extreme weather events become more severe and frequent, Mountaineering Ireland recognised that a focused and collaborative approach to upland path management was needed. Helping the Hills started in 2012 with a conference bringing experts from Britain and Ireland together to share experiences in upland path management. Since then, several study visits and networking events have taken place in Britain and Ireland to look at best practice, share learnings and raise awareness of upland path erosion in general. In 2026, Mountaineering Ireland received funding from DRCDG to develop and deliver a progressive training programme covering all aspects of upland path management in the Irish context.