Track erosion is a serious issue in North Wicklow, and heavy traffic by walkers must be acknowledged as part of the problem. good work by Fas on wooden pathways has contain the problem of walker traffic in the worst affected areas. Tracks on the remoter peaks of South Wicklow have until now remained intact.
The South Wicklow peak of Croghanmoira is a shapely cone of quartzite offset from the main Wicklow massif. Its position and superb views made it the location of choice for the Grand Trignometrical Station when the Ordnance Survey mapped the South East. A well marked but intact track to the top made a fine summit access for even novice hill walkers.
It is with sorrow that I report that the lower half of this track has been irretrievably damaged by quad bikers. Damage of this scale permanently destroys surface vegetation, and rainfall completes the work of removing the layer of blanket bog. Before the quads: a springy trail through the heather; after them, a gully of mud and rock.
It is bad enough that the peace and tranquillity of hill walking is savaged by the noise and racket of quad bikers and scramblers. Destruction of trails adds injury to this insult.
The cavalier attitude of the current government to hill walkers' rights seems to ignore the voting capability of an increasingly numerous contituency. Since legislation to curb the scourge of off-trail vehicles is too much to hope for before the next election, it is only justice that this attitude is roundly punished at the polls.
Sincerely
Tony Mulqueen
Aughrim
Co. Wicklow
