Three Lost Paths

■ Maps from the early 1900s show a path near Rumworth Lodge Reservoir, near Bolton, which isn’t on today’s maps. The path has disappeared under marshland but, if restored, would enable people from nearby housing estates to walk to the reservoir for fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.

■ A path just north of Redditch in the West Midlands, which is not recorded on current OS maps, has been worn down by centuries of use by people, animals and carts.

At least five footpaths connect to this path, which may date back to the Romans.

■ The Markway is a path recorded on a 1791 county map of Hampshire that now ends abruptly in undergrowth.

During WWII, when a Hurricane fighter base was built there, the path was blocked and the last mile of the route became overgrown and forgotten.

Thanks to a Ramblers volunteer, the missing mile will be added to the definitive map so it can be used by future generations of walkers.

“Yet these paths could so easily slip away.

“We have to get out there, find the historic evidence for these paths and save them.

“It’s a massive job and we need as many people as possible to get involved.” ■

For more information about the Don’t Lose Your Way campaign, including how to become

involved, visit www. ramblers.org.uk/DLYW.