Everyone can help solve the problem of eroding paths. Find out how you can help when you're out on the fells in You and me and see for yourself what we're up to in the Photo gallery
Path repair work is a specialised job and all our workers are trained to Skills and techniques. Knowing which stone to use where is a real art, very much like dry stone walling. Our teams who work on the fells are local people and volunteers. It’s physically hard work, in all weathers.
Techniques we use to fix paths
Coir:
A loosely woven bio-degradable matting used to stabilise small areas of bare ground. Seed can grow through the matting, whilst sheep and people are deterred from walking on it.
Pitching:
A traditional method often used to repair steep slopes. Large stones collected locally are dug into the ground with just the flattest surface showing to form a hard wearing path. The path edges are then re-landscaped to blend in naturally with the surrounding area.
Revetment:
Describes stabilising a very steep bank, up to about a metre. Typically stones are set into the bank, then covered with a layer of turf, then another row of stones. This stops the eroded bank increasing in size.
Soil Inversion:
A technique which works best when repairing more gentle inclines. A digger brings hard wearing subsoil to the surface and form a drain for surface water. Subsoil is then compacted to form the walking surface.
Wire Cloching:
One of the latest techniques to aid re-vegetation on grassy slopes. Cloches made from hoops of willow and chicken wire are positioned over delicate areas in order to protect grass seed from hungry sheep and walkers' feet.
