Yeah, those old trails are still the backbone of most hikes. Back then they followed the easiest, safest routes through the terrain, and that logic still holds—steep ridges, river crossings, that kind of thing. Most of the modern paths are just updated versions of those centuries‑old routes, so if you’re trekking the same high passes, you’re walking the same ancient foot‑prints. Just remember to keep the trail clean and respect the land, even if the path looks familiar.