As a one-time Brit who grew up hiking and walking the countryside I am right behind the Right to Roam movement ... especially as Scotland has had it for years to the benefit of all. Just one point of clarification though ... while it is true that so much National park land is in private hands access is not "walled off'. England has probably the world's most comprehensive network of Public Paths/Footpaths/Rights of Way across private and public land. Right to Roam already exists on those trails ... going off trail is another matter, as is wild camping but there are no gates and fences on the trails.
Ah, thank you for the clarification. I was a little fuzzy on the access rights since the public/private network of trails is so extensive. It’s so different than in the US where private land is almost always fenced off. Thanks for sharing, Richard!
Some of the Public Footpaths go back hundreds of years and there is a considerable citizen effort under way to make sure they are all walked, mapped and registered at the moment as the less frequently walked paths can become overgrown and "lost", but it's pretty good for all that. Most are signposted and easy to find though. It's a shame this continent doesn't have the same system.
As a one-time Brit who grew up hiking and walking the countryside I am right behind the Right to Roam movement ... especially as Scotland has had it for years to the benefit of all. Just one point of clarification though ... while it is true that so much National park land is in private hands access is not "walled off'. England has probably the world's most comprehensive network of Public Paths/Footpaths/Rights of Way across private and public land. Right to Roam already exists on those trails ... going off trail is another matter, as is wild camping but there are no gates and fences on the trails.
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/understanding-public-rights-way
Ah, thank you for the clarification. I was a little fuzzy on the access rights since the public/private network of trails is so extensive. It’s so different than in the US where private land is almost always fenced off. Thanks for sharing, Richard!
Some of the Public Footpaths go back hundreds of years and there is a considerable citizen effort under way to make sure they are all walked, mapped and registered at the moment as the less frequently walked paths can become overgrown and "lost", but it's pretty good for all that. Most are signposted and easy to find though. It's a shame this continent doesn't have the same system.