Unexpected path on my Cairngorm walk today

[gorillagorilla]

Looking at the aerial photography data on google maps, ordnance survey or elsewhere often helps with understanding what paths may or may not be there.

[AyrshireAlps]

This is great for looking to see if paths exist, but generally needs to be used before lunch, as the site runs out of data later in the day, I've used it for years.

https://wtp2recorder.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

[adamwatson500]

A (relatively) new tool we've been using when planning days out in the hills is the "heatmaps" produced by Strava. This might be a subscriber only feature these days, but the global running heatmap gives a pretty astonishingly accurate picture of the path network, both constructed and informal/stalkers, as the data is entirely driven by people walking or running the route.

It also clearly shows where there isn't a path - as the heatmap turns to a myriad of slightly different tracks taken individually to e.g. traverse across a boggy bealach or open hillside.

[AyrshireAlps]

Aye, heatmaps is a very good utility, even just to see if someone, anyone, has walked where you're looking!

[prog99]

Aye, heatmaps is a very good utility, even just to see if someone, anyone, has walked where you're looking!

Of course they could all be searching out that non existent path that the map says is there.