The Role Fixing the Fells has in Improving Water Quality

As you walk the stunning trails of the Lake District, it’s easy to marvel at the beauty of the landscape, but have you ever thought about the unseen connections between the paths underfoot and the water quality of the lakes they surround?

Mark, a Fix the Fells volunteer, explains how the project not only preserves the accessibility of the fells but also plays a vital role in protecting Windermere’s water quality.

“Erosion on the paths, caused by a combination of rainwater, footfall and gradient, washes sediment, nutrients and pollutants into the water courses, impacting habitats and water quality. The work we do at Fix the Fells reduces these impacts, supporting healthier ecosystems and cleaner water.
In the Windermere catchment area Fix the Fells looks after 91 paths, which is a total of 101 miles!

Through the Fix the Fells programme we have maintained and repaired 63 of these paths and we closely monitor (s) erosion on the others. Since 2022, Fix the Fells staff have spent 1,400 days repairing and improving the paths. Over the same period, Fix the Fells volunteers have also spent 1,400 days maintaining the paths (by keeping drains clear) plus 1,600 days repairing the paths. If all of these days are added together that’s the equivalent of six full-time people working on the paths, in the Windermere catchment alone, every year!

You will see on the pictures the results of work done by the staff team in 2023. Before, the steep section of this popular path from Grasmere to Stone Arthur was suffering from serious erosion and scouring. Because of the gradient, stone pitching had to be installed to provide a stable, hard-wearing surface that will blend in with the surroundings once the vegetation has fully recovered. You can really see the different it makes.

Fixing the Fells is more than just preserving paths; it’s about safeguarding the future of the Lake District’s natural environment. Each repaired trail helps reduce erosion, protect habitats, and improve water quality, ensuring that places like Windermere remain for future generations.”

Find out more about Fix the Fells and there important work.