Reinforcing the fell-top footpaths

I saw the state the paths were in
well trodden, sodden and pleading for rest.
Rest from the stampedes of locals and tourists
wearing them down to a river of mud.
Breaking the topsoil
opening scars
this flurry of feet
may as well have been cars.

But there, left and right
to the edges they trod
A new breed of traveller
tracing light steps.
Finding a new way to travel the same
shunning the well worn
to search for ….who knows?