PSA: Trails near me are getting paved sections now

I've seen local paths adding smooth walkways over rough ground. Supporters say it helps more people enjoy nature, but critics argue it takes away from the real hiking experience. Should we keep trails rugged or make them easier to use?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jana2mo ago

The new paved section at Willow Creek is already getting wider from people walking on the edges. Does this kind of access just push the wear and tear further out into the woods instead of fixing it? We might be trading one problem for a bigger one.

amyg292mo ago

Saying it "helps more people enjoy nature" is weird when paving over it literally covers up the nature part. Smooth walkways just turn a trail into a sidewalk, which defeats the whole point.

oliver_jones322mo ago

Yeah when amyg29 says paving "covers up the nature part" that's exactly it. I read an article a while back about how paved surfaces actually stop water from getting into the ground and can hurt tree roots along the path. So it's not just about the feel under your feet, it's actively changing the place. They called it "trail hardening" but paving seems like way more than that. It feels like we're picking who gets to visit by making everything smooth and easy. There's gotta be a better balance where we help people get out there without basically building a road through the woods.