In reply to Robert Durran:
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> This argument doesn't make sense to me. Are you saying that we should encourage hordes into the hills with "trails", signposts etc. just so that there will be more people likely to complain about further intrusions?
Well no, we should also do it because experience of the outdoors can enrich peoples' lives and make us all happier and healthier people. And because sharing something you take pleasure in is a pleasure in itself, even if you are deigning to share it with people who aren't Great Adventurers like yourself.
But it does also increase the weight given to preserving the beauty of these areas when it comes into conflict with other interests. It's one thing to want to protect wilderness on the other side of the world because you love the wilderness on this side of the world. But it's another to oppose a scheme that'll provide much needed jobs, money, transport etc even though you've never been further than your local park.