I know a place that has switchback footpaths on the hillside. The gradient and terrain mean that it’s usually possible for anyone of rudimentary fitness to get down by taking a short-cut and heading straight down. Takes less than a minute.
Coming back up is hell either way. If you try the straight line, you need way more fitness than going down. It’s not a 45° slope, but it feels like one. If you take the switchbacks, it feels like you’re making no progress for far too long.
It might only be two or three minutes of strain, five or six for the switchbacks but it’s a real drag.
This particular hillside isn’t in a preservation area or even an area that ought to be. It’s literally just lawn grass on a steep slope for the most part. If there were enough people taking the shortcut to cause problematic erosion, a desire path would be the first warning sign, and there isn’t one.
If the local authority thought it was a problem - the grass is mowed occasionally, so they keep an eye on it - I’m sure they’d put up signs threatening a fine for anyone cheating.
I know a place that has switchback footpaths on the hillside. The gradient and terrain mean that it’s usually possible for anyone of rudimentary fitness to get down by taking a short-cut and heading straight down. Takes less than a minute.
Coming back up is hell either way. If you try the straight line, you need way more fitness than going down. It’s not a 45° slope, but it feels like one. If you take the switchbacks, it feels like you’re making no progress for far too long.
It might only be two or three minutes of strain, five or six for the switchbacks but it’s a real drag.
As stated elsewhere, switchbacks help prevent erosion, never cut switchbacks, always follow the trail.
This particular hillside isn’t in a preservation area or even an area that ought to be. It’s literally just lawn grass on a steep slope for the most part. If there were enough people taking the shortcut to cause problematic erosion, a desire path would be the first warning sign, and there isn’t one.
If the local authority thought it was a problem - the grass is mowed occasionally, so they keep an eye on it - I’m sure they’d put up signs threatening a fine for anyone cheating.
That said, I will bear what you’ve said in mind.