All walks in Ireland are becoming MUCH more busy.
Some Dublin hill walks like Ticknock and Hellfire are crazy busy on weekends.
(People also say the Mountain Bikers have taken over Ticknock and yes there is a fantastic set of MTB trails up there however the hillside is big enough to take all the walkers and hikers and bikers and give us all a break in the outdoors - albeit it is not as quiet as in the old days! "The Dundrum Shopping Centre of Coilte Forests".)
I think it is unlikely that listing walks on sites like ViewRanger is the cause of much more of this use.
We have problems with vehicular traffic as well as much increased footfall all around the country now.
There is a general problem with heavy footfall.
Many people using the paths will cause erosion and other damage.
The problem is MUCH worse with the few people that litter or cause more harm than others.
And even small dogs can cause a problem and cause stress and much worse to livestock.
However access to outdoor wild places is very good for people.
So .. how do we manage this ...
For a walk in ViewRanger should we keep it listed or remove it?
The land is a farm and the ownership is private.
The path is in use for a long time, without obvious restrictions.
There were not any signs indicating private or no trespassing when I was there.
(However with covid restrictions so I have not been on this walk in about 2 years now!)
There is no right to roam in Ireland.
(which is an issue in itself but we thankfully have ALOT of land owners
who recognise that other people also like to access the countryside).
I would respect the wishes of the landowner.
Especially when it comes to leave-no-trace and dogs.
There are farm animals in the fields and it is unfortunately common for ~some~ dog owners to not obey the dogs on leads and pick up poo rules. :-(
Rather than taking the walk off one site it might be better to update the description with a strong WARNING/NOTICE that the walk is on private land and that access is permissive and for locals only. And add warning on DOGs and leave no trace. I hope this will alert people that do see the walk online to think twice and use another walk and make them aware of the problems.
It is fair to remove the info on the walk I think if it is the owners wish.
It would be a pity to remove it as access to good information on walks that work can benefit people,
and good information and signage can help a certain extent and prevent both issues of danger and over-use. But we have to be responsible and play our part and respect wishes of landowners,
ESPECIALLY landowners who are good enough to allow local access!
A short mostly flat walk over grass along the cliff tops.
https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTkxMjY0NQ=
PLEASE NOTE: Walk is on PRIVATE land. Due to heavy use access is for locals only. Leave no Trace. NOT SUITABLE for dogs due to livestock, dogs ON LEAD only.
Walk along the cliffs from white strand near Spanish point and Miltown Malbay in Clare. 2.5km along the cliff tops plus 1.2km along the road to complete loop or go back along the cliff tops again.
PLEASE NOTE: This walk is on PRIVATE land.
Due to heavy use access is for locals only.
Leave no Trace.
NOT SUITABLE for dogs due to livestock.
Dogs ON LEAD only.
The cliffs are low but there are still high drops onto rocks at many places so be careful and watch out for kids. The ground is grass underfoot. Some patches of soft or muddy ground in wet weather. There are often cattle in the fields.
Start at car park at white strand where there are toilets e.t.c. near the life guard school. Head along the grass through two rocks which act as a stile or gateway into the field along the cliffs. Follow the edge of the low cliffs around for 2.5km. There are two more stiles along the route.
At the most north part of the route marked here there is a ruined house. You can return along the cliff tops or cross the stream, climb a gate and return more directly along the road.
You can swim or access the sea at white strand. Or a short way along cliff walk descend steps to a sea pool which is good except at low tide. Or it is possible to descend the low cliffs in many places.
Fundamentally . . there are more and more people in the country and on the planet!
We have got to share what we have.
We have got to reduce our population (in a fair way!) to reduce the strain on land/planet!!
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