In reply to Ron Walker:
> (In reply to k.shark)
>
> Not so much the paths but the fact that it encourages the less experienced and the resultant erosion and litter in what is one of Europe's last wild and pristine areas...
These paths are arguably the lesser of two evils. However, the root of the problem in the Northern Cairngorms is the ease of access from the ski area. The solution is to close the ski road to the public so that walkers and climbers have to walk from Glenmore; the extra hour of effort would deter most, relieving pressure on the plateau and, of course, having the added benefit of thinning out the queues in Sneachda. There was a big chance to improve matters by extending the funicular to Glenmore, allowing the Cas carpark to be removed. Unfortunately I doubt it will happen now.