Paths, tracks and trails

Overall vulnerability

Features assessed:

• Paths, tracks and trails
• Activities that improve physical health such as walking, cycling and adventure sports
• Dense rights of way network

Special qualities:

• An inspiring space for escape, adventure, discovery and quiet reflection
• Vital benefits for millions of people that flow beyond the landscape boundary

Feature description:

A series of paths, tracks and trails criss-cross the PDNP. They are found in the White Peak, Dark Peak and South West Peak.

People use these routes for a range of recreational activities and sports including hiking, cycling, horse-riding and driving.

In the PDNP there are 2,136 km of footpaths, 294 km of bridleways, 30 km of byways and a further 546 km of unclassified roads, sometimes referred to as green lanes.

There are four recreational trails managed by the PDNPA. They are the High Peak, Monsal, Thornhill and Tissington trails and they run for around 55 km in total. Several long distance routes cross the PDNP such as the Trans-Pennine Trail and the Pennine Way which starts in Edale.

To increase accessibility regardless of mobility restrictions there are now Miles without Stiles routes (32 km in 2018), where tracks and paths have been adapted to be accessible for all.

How vulnerable are paths, tracks and trails?

Paths, tracks and trails in the PDNP have been rated ‘moderate’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to moderate sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a varying current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

The condition of routes often depends on their popularity with those heavily used becoming worn quite quickly and needing more maintenance and upkeep. Routes are sensitive to severe weather including wind and rain that can cause erosion. Increases in this damage due to climate change pose a significant risk to their condition. Damage to the physical infrastructure such as bridges may also occur. However, both the constituent highway authorities and PDNPA work to maintain routes and while funding is limited, campaigns have successfully raised money for specific work such as the Great Ridge.

Current condition

The condition of paths, tracks and trails across the PDNP is mixed, and difficult to accurately assess overall because conditions in specific areas can change quite rapidly. Because they are used for a range of recreational activities, the most popular routes can often become worn quickly. The weather can cause damage to their surfaces, for example heavy rain can very quickly render a path impassable.

Those areas of heavy usage require more maintenance and upkeep depending on what activity they are used for and the nature of the path, track or trail. Most paths also experience some level of vegetation growth, with some areas requiring maintenance particularly at the edge of tracks.

The scale and cost of repairs has seen recent fundraising initiatives launched, including the Mend Our Mountains campaign.

What are the potential impacts of climate change?

Overall potential impact rating

Sedimentation or erosion

Some path surfaces, slopes and cuttings are sensitive to erosion. An increase in winter precipitation is likely to increase erosion rates, and this could make some paths unusable. This would also increase the health and safety risk for users. Winter storms and summer droughts could cause the potential loss of bridges or paths in some areas, requiring replacement or rebuilding to ensure they remain usable. Data Certainty: High

Wetter winters may mean that paths and associated structures such as bridges could suffer more severe impacts from freeze-thaw events. Conversely, it may also be there are fewer freeze-thaw events due to warmer winters overall, which could see less damage caused. Data Certainty: Low

Direct impacts of climate change

Trails and trail structures such as bridges are sensitive to storm events. As well as direct damage to the features themselves, there may also be an increased risk of tree failure and rock fall. This potentially poses an increased health and safety risk for people using the trails. The flooding of path surfaces or obstructions caused by fallen trees or rocks may temporarily block paths, or make them inaccessible and could lead to increased costs for maintenance and for durability. Data Certainty: Moderate

Trail structures may also be sensitive to air pollution with bridges or cuttings damaged, for example stone may be damaged by acid rain leading to potential aesthetic impairment of the feature. Data Certainty: Moderate

Trail tunnels are sensitive to increased rainfall and could be damaged by flooding leading to paths being closed to visitors in some places. Data Certainty: Moderate

Other indirect climate change impacts

An increased frequency of summer drought and decreased rainfall increases the risk of wildfire. There is increased likelihood that some paths, tracks or trails may be closed to prevent fires starting, reducing the wellbeing benefits provided. Data Certainty: Moderate

Human behaviour change

Hotter, drier summers may result in an increase in the number of people visiting the PDNP, leading to a greater footfall on routes which could increase the risk of erosion and also wildfire ignition. There is also a potential risk to places for quiet reflection due to any significant rise in visitor numbers. Data Certainty: Very Low

Invasive or other species interactions

Warmer, wetter winters and hotter summers could lead to longer growing seasons and impact routes sensitive to vegetation growth, particularly narrow paths. They may become overgrown and difficult to use and therefore may pose an increase safety risk to visitors and require an increase in maintenance in some areas. Data Certainty: Very Low

What is the adaptive capacity of paths, tracks and trails?

Overall adaptive capacity rating

The various highways authorities that cover the PDNP, alongside the PDNPA, restore and maintain routes, particularly rights of way. However, many trail structures are substantial in size (for example tunnels and viaducts) and will continue to require large amounts of maintenance and investment. Data Certainty: Moderate

Fundraising efforts have and are being used for right of way restoration. Limited funding is available especially for projects of some magnitude, so there are resource implications. Data Certainty: Moderate

Closures of individual parts of the route network could impact its overall connectivity for different users. However, the network is diverse with a variety of different surface types, and sometimes alternative paths can naturally be created. This means the overall functionality of the path network may not be lost even if parts are degraded, and in the case of specific paths, tracks or trails alternatives may be able to be purposefully created or upgraded. Data Certainty: Very Low

Many techniques for path restoration currently exist and there are many skilled contractors available to carry out adaptations where funding is available. Data Certainty: Very Low

Key adaptation recommendations for paths, tracks and trails

Improve current condition to increase resilience

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are aimed at improving the condition of the feature at present, therefore making it better able to withstand future changes to climate.

• Monitor condition of key paths, tracks and trails and reassess vulnerability on an ongoing basis.
• Invest time in developing further crowd-sourced funding for adaptation of paths, tracks and trails, fostering a sense of ownership among user groups.

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Targeted conservation efforts for important sites and at risk areas

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are conservation measures aimed at those sites that will have the biggest impact for this feature – either because they are particularly important for the feature or because they are most at risk from climate change.

• Assess which specific stretches of path, track or trail are likely to be most vulnerable to climate change.
• Maintain and upgrade those areas subject to heavy usage or those likely to be most vulnerable. Understand the heritage significance of trails to factor this into decision making.