Hundreds of previously-hidden trails are being made visible to the public and collected together for the first time ever in Scotland
Walking charity Ramblers Scotland today unveiled what it is calling the best-ever map of the nation’s paths, including many not shown even on detailed Ordnance Survey maps.
The online Scottish Paths Map collates path has been drawn around 1,500 path surveys and numerous other sources, including trails recorded and audited during the last year by more than 100 Ramblers volunteers.
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The map shows almost 42,000 miles of paths – from traffic-free city routes to high mountain trails and 450 unmapped paths which total more than 85 miles in length.
Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “Scotland has amazing landscapes and world-class access rights, yet sadly many people still lack confidence about where to walk – so mapped paths are key to creating a healthier, happier nation.
“I hope that people will use our Scottish Paths Map to plan walks, find new routes and unearth previously-unknown paths on their doorstep.
“While this is the best-ever map of Scotland’s paths, we believe that it can be still be improved – so I’d encourage people to volunteer to help us audit data and identify thousands more hidden paths across Scotland.”
Scottish paths map (excluding Shetland)
Paths are marked in purple on the map until audited by volunteers – when they turn green. Many more paths are expected to be audited in the coming months and years, enabling the public to access useful details such as a path’s surfacing, condition, waymarking and any obstacles.
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Ramblers Scotland president Lucy Wallace, a mountain leader and wildlife guide, said: "This is such an exciting project as it brings together existing mapping with new data gathered by volunteers on the ground.
“As it grows it will be a super-useful planning tool with publicly available information about important things like path condition and obstacles such as gates or stiles.
“As one of the volunteer auditors, I'm having a great time walking with purpose in my local area and helping to put this data on the map.”
A previously-hidden path in Fife
The map can be used on desktop or mobile devices, wherever there is a signal. Rather than replacing traditional maps – it is instead designed to help people plan journeys, highlight gaps and promote paths and routes.
The map will be regularly updated with volunteers’ new paths and audit information and in future, Ramblers Scotland intends to make its entire Scottish Paths Map dataset downloadable for free in various popular formats.
The map is available from today at: interactive Scottish Paths Map online.
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