In reply to yorkshire_lad2:
Interesting article. Unfortunately this can happen when some areas become popular through a charity event, a designation (as noted in the article - "Challenge" and elsewhere, eg "NC500"), social media or TV or movie (eg The Fairy Pools and Glenfinnan viaduct).
I don't have a solution as it would be almost impossible to stop groups doing the walk.
I'm reminded of a comment I heard years ago when I did ML training at Plas-y-Brenin. One participant from the Snowdonia National Park said that some children should now be allowed into the Park or other outdoor areas because they haven't been taught how to behave and have consideration for the area or people who live in it. I think that could be applied to a number of adults too.
Dave