Fix the Fells celebrates 25 years of safeguarding Lake District paths

Fix the Fells is marking 25 years of vital work in preserving the Lake District's precious mountain paths and landscapes from erosion.

The partnership, established in 2001, arose in response to the increasing damage inflicted on the fells by heavy foot traffic, steep terrain, and the challenging Cumbrian weather.

This collaboration comprises five organisations: The National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority, Natural England, Friends of the Lake District, and the Lake District Foundation.

Celebrating Conservation

Since its creation, Fix the Fells has focused on long-term conservation, repairing and maintaining hundreds of paths within the National Park.

Currently, the partnership is engaged in a significant three-year project to repair the popular Swirls Path route on Helvellyn.

Starting from Swirls car park near the A591, this project marks the first significant work on the route since the 1980s.

Professional rangers conduct skilled path repair work, supported by volunteers undertaking smaller tasks.

Last year, 147 volunteers dedicated 3,206 days to path maintenance and repairs.

Continued Efforts and Funding

Matt Tweed, Lead Ranger, said: “Twenty-five years after Fix the Fells began, our work is still about protecting the Lake District for people and nature. The pressure on the fells has not gone away, and careful path repair remains one of the most practical ways to look after this incredible landscape.”

Lorayne Wall, Head of Planning and Policy at Friends of the Lake District, said: “The Lake District is one of Britain’s best-loved landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of walkers each year. Twenty-five years on from when it was first established, the work of Fix the Fells remains as important as ever and we’re proud to be involved in this remarkable partnership.”

It costs around £650,000 annually to sustain these efforts, all of which is fundraised.