We believe it is important that local people and visitors can get into the beautiful countryside of Cumbria. As the second most tranquil county in England, (after Northumberland) the chance to relax and unwind, as well as get some exercise, is vital for everyone’s health and well being. We believe that the best way to do this is through activities such as walking, cycling, sailing, climbing, canoeing and horse riding.

Cumbria has an extensive public rights of way network, including footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways. In the National Park alone there are 8 million visitors a year, many of whom use the network to go walking, cycling and riding.

All those feet, tyres and hooves are having an impact and so we support the Fix the Fells (www.fixthefells.co.uk) project run by the Lake District National Park Authority [link towww.lake-district.gov.uk], the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) and Natural England  (www.naturalengland.org.uk) which repairs upland footpaths.



The project runs from 2007 – 2012 and each year Friends of the Lake District is putting in around £40,000 to help fund repairs and maintenance.

In 2007 and 2008, our money went towards the following path repairs:
Greenhead Gill to Stone Arthur near Grasmere, Nan Bield to Mardale Ill Bell above Haweswater, Rosthwaite to Watendlath in Borrowdale, Ladderbrow in Borrowdale, the Puddingstone path in the old Coniston quarries, the Buttermere lakeshore path and the lower part of the bridleway to Scarth Gap. Work has also been funded at Aira Force, on the upper slopes of Wansfell, Fairfield summit, Dollywaggon and Place Fell.

We believe that the fells of the Lake District National Park are a precious resource that is worth investing in. If you agree, you can donate too by going to the Fix the Fells www.fixthefells.co.uk]website.

To find out more about how Friends of the Lake District is involved with Fix the Fells, download these articles from our 2008 Members’ magazine Conserving Lakeland:

Two downloadable files:
Best foot forward pdf – an article about the reasons why path repairs need to take place and how they are done.

Blea Tarn pdf – focusing on Blea Tarn, Langdale and how the work is settling one year on.

On two wheels ….
Cycling is a great way to get around and see Cumbria. Friends of the Lake District has helped fund several guides to cycle rides in the county:

Cycling leaflets to download:
Cycling from Coniston – three do-in-a-day circular rides on quiet roads, country lanes and tracks. Pick up a copy of the leaflets from Coniston Tourism Information Centre or contact Friends of the Lake District.

Click here to download cycling from Coniston Little Langdale & ConistonWater.pdf
Click here to download cycling from Coniston Tarn hows route.pdf

Cycle and See – five circular rides between Arnside and Kirby Lonsdale.
To download this leaflet go to www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk and look under recreation and cycling. You can also get the leaflet from Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or local tourist information centres.

For more ideas about where to cycle in Cumbria go to www.cyclingcumbria.co.uk.