We are told to leave only our footprints but one of the UK’s most famous and important national parks is being damaged by just that.
Twenty years ago, unsightly scars caused by walkers and rainfall plagued the Lake District landscape.
Recognising something had to be done to repair the damage to hundreds of footpaths and erosion to mountain areas, organisations got together to seek funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund – leading to the formation of Fix the Fells.
Since then, nearly £10million has been spent helping to recover parts of the national park, including gullies measuring 30metres wide and four metres deep.
But thanks to climate change and a rise in staycation visitors due to the pandemic, parts of the Unesco world heritage site are eroding faster than ever.
Ranger Pete Entwistle said more holidaymakers are “a good thing because people get to see what they have in this country, they see what needs protecting”.
He adds: “But if this was to continue with the numbers we’re getting now, I can see us having an awful lot more work in the future.” Joanne Backshall of Fix the Fells said climate change also causes erosion.
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She said: “It was always wet but it is now even more so. When we have a really heavy storm, that leads to a significant increase in the amount of water that goes down the paths and damages them.
“A lot of paths on popular routes are really showing the wear and tear of the increase in the number of people. Some are in a really poor condition in terms of bare ground and soil being washed away in heavy rainfall.”
Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, is among the areas suffering.
Excessive erosion has an impact on wildlife due to loss of habitat and is also affecting rare mountain plants.
Fix The Fells relies on fundraising and grants, spending £500,000 in a typical year, with a yard of path costing £150 to create.
I spent my honeymoon this summer walking the footpaths of the Langdale Valley, lined with striking purple foxgloves.
In 20 years time, I hope those routes will remain so others can enjoy this glorious part of Britain.
- fixthefells.co.uk/donate
