Boulders and fallen trees lie on the Steall path. Photo: John Muir Trust

A popular Highland footpath that was hit by a massive rockfall will remain closed for at least a month, a charity said.

The John Muir Trust said it will cost up to £30,000 to make the route through the Steall Gorge safe.

Boulders and debris fell from Meall Cumhann on the night of 13 and 14 September, felling trees and creating craters on the hillside, in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

The trust, which owns the land which the path crosses as well as the summit of Britain’s highest mountain, said specialist local contractors will start work soon to make access safe again, by removing debris from the path, including loose and unstable boulders from the area above the path, and stabilising damaged trees.

The path is popular with walkers and mountaineers heading past the Steall Falls. Photo: John Muir Trust

Alison Austin, the John Muir Trust’s Nevis land manager, said: “We’re finalising the details of the repair project with local contractors and will start work soon.

“We have funds immediately available that have been donated by trust members and the public to our Wild Ways Path Fund. It’s why we ask for support year round, so that we can react as quickly as possible to this kind of event and make sure we can maintain safe access to well loved paths while making sure the environment is respected.”

The trust is continuing to call for donations to its Wild Ways Path Fund, so that it can continue to afford to maintain and repair the paths in its care. Donations can be made via the charity’s website.