Coast to Coast Packhorse has proudly partnered with Fix the Fells to help protect and preserve the stunning Lake District National Park from erosion. Their mission is to repair and maintain upland paths, ensuring that this breathtaking landscape remains accessible and beautiful for generations to come.
The Lake District is one of Britain’s most treasured landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—a truly special place worth protecting. However, footpath erosion, severe weather events, and climate change have taken their toll, creating erosion scars and causing environmental damage in these fragile mountains.
Support Fix the Fells with a Coast to Coast Passport
If you love the Lake District, you can help us Fix the Fells. For every Coast to Coast Passport purchased, we will donate £2.50 to this important conservation effort. You can also donate directly—after your trip, we’ll send you a link so you can contribute after seeing their incredible work firsthand.
One of the best ways to support Lake District path restoration is by purchasing a Coast to Coast Passport when heading out on the trail. Not only does this provide a great hiking keepsake, but it directly funds trail maintenance and repair. You can easily add a passport to your booking form when arranging your trip with us. If you’ve already booked with us and forgot to add the passport, you can get your passport here.
What Fix the Fells Has Achieved
Since its inception in 2001, Fix the Fells has repaired over 200 footpaths, spanning more than 400 km, while actively maintaining and monitoring nearly 200 more. An additional 325 paths are under ongoing survey. The priorities evolve as certain paths erode more quickly and new areas require attention.
Each year, National Trust and Lake District National Park rangers carefully plan restoration work across these 344 paths. Their proposals are then reviewed and approved by the Fix the Fells Partnership Board, ensuring that conservation efforts are both strategic and effective.
Lake District Path Restoration Techniques
When footpath erosion becomes severe, restoration techniques are used to repair and maintain the trails.
Soil Inversion
This technique involves turning over the top few feet of soil so the aggregate underneath provides a firmer surface. Material is removed from the sides of the path, creating a raised path with a ditch on either side for drainage. Originally used by the Romans, recent applications of this method have incorporated machinery for efficiency. However, the first modern hand-made subsoil path is currently being created on the Stake Pass from the Langstrath Valley in Borrowdale, joining a lower section previously built by machine. This marks an exciting development in traditional trail-building skills.
Stone-pitching
Stone-pitching is ideal for remote and high-traffic routes, as it provides a natural look and requires minimal maintenance. Large, locally sourced stones are placed with their flattened sides up to create small, irregular steps that blend seamlessly into the Lake District landscape. Recent refinements have adjusted the angle of these stones to reduce slipperiness in wet weather conditions. Helm Crag, worked on throughout the summer by the Central Fells team, is a prime example of successful stone-pitching in the Lake District.
Sheep’s Wool for Boggy Paths
Used in boggy or peaty areas, sheep fleeces are folded and rolled to form a ‘floating path’ that is then layered with stones. This method protects peat and soil while improving drainage. Volunteers and staff have recently applied this innovative approach to Martcrag Moor with great success.
The Fix the Fells programme is flexible, employing the best techniques for each footpath based on soil type, gradient, foot traffic, and environmental factors. As the programme evolves, techniques are continually refined, and new skills are developed.
How You Can Help Protect the Lake District
- Stay on designated paths to minimize erosion damage.
- Avoid adding stones to cairns—stones belong on paths to help prevent erosion.
- Raise awareness about trail conservation and why it matters.
- Support Fix the Fells by purchasing a Coast to Coast Passport when booking your trip.
Explore the Lake District with Our Walking Holidays
If you’re inspired by the beauty of the Lake District and want to experience it firsthand, we offer a range of walking holidays to suit all levels. From guided and self-guided walking holidays to bespoke hiking packages, we provide expert planning, baggage transfer services, and carefully selected accommodations.
Whether you’re walking, cycling or running the Coast to Coast with us, or using our expert services, we ensure a seamless and unforgettable journey.
By supporting Fix the Fells and choosing responsible travel, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Lake District while contributing to its preservation. Together, we can keep these fells beautiful, accessible, and well-maintained for generations to come.
