Wicklow Upland Paths Report Discussion Takes Place Today.

A special online event has been organised to discuss and share details found in a final report on Wicklows upland paths.

Following the completion of an extensive survey focussed on the current condition of many of county Wicklow’s upland paths, a special online event has been organised to discuss and share details found in its final report.

Aside from managed trails such as the Wicklow Way, there is an extensive network of informal paths that criss-cross the Wicklow and Dublin Uplands, connecting routes, peaks and popular points of interest for hikers and walkers. Evolved through common usage over the decades, the impact of the ever-increasing footfall on these paths contribute to soil erosion and the loss of vegetation and sensitive habitats. Often scarring the landscape, the paths frequently cross fragile peat soil, leading to a loss of carbon and water runoff that affects the water quality of upland streams.

To establish an accurate understanding of the current path conditions, Wicklow Uplands Council, Wicklow Mountains National Park (NPWS) and a host of project partners that includes Coillte, County Wicklow Partnership/Rural Recreation Officer, Mountaineering Ireland, Mountain Meitheal and Wicklow County Council, commissioned a specialist survey to investigate further and to explore possible solutions to ensure that these areas are sustainably managed for future generations.

With funding received through the LEADER Programme, an extensive survey of over 160km of many of the popular upland paths located throughout the region, was recently completed by expert path surveyors ‘Walking the Talk’.

With biodiversity and landscape preservation, along with sustainable recreational enjoyment in mind, a public event titled ‘The Condition Of Upland Paths In The Wicklow Mountains’ has been organised for 3pm on Wednesday the 28^th of September.