A busy day on Striding Ege, one of the Lake District's most popular routes

Repairs will begin next month on one of the Lake District’s highest paths.

Work on the route from Striding Edge to Helvellyn’s 950m (3,117ft) summit will involve helicopter stone drops at the site, which involves the steep, rocky 100m (330ft) climb from the edge up on to the summit plateau.

Walkers will be delayed while the stone is brought in, though the route will not be closed. Numbers on the route, one of the Lake District’s most popular, will be restricted during the drops.

Richard Fox, of the Lake District Fix the Fells project, said “This is one of our busiest high fell paths, attracting then of thousands of walkers every year.

“Although the £10,000 pre-emptive repairs will last four or five weeks, the stone drops are only likely on a couple of days.

“We will be suggesting people take one of the alternate routes to the summit, or wait a short while until they can continue safely.”

Mr Fox said the project was necessary because of the untenable situation at the site, but would cause as little disturbance as possible.

“We know how well loved Striding Edge is, and we don’t want to inconvenience people more than we have to. However, the path’s popularity has led to significant ecological and safety problems.

“People see the steep headwall and look for less strenuous ways up to the summit. New trails have been created. They might look easier but, in fact, lead to potentially dangerous areas of sheer rock face.

“Not only are people putting themselves at risk, they are threatening precious and endangered flora. The rare alpine mouse-ear has now disappeared altogether from the area to be restored.

“Red Tarn’s rare white Schelly fish, which date back to the Ice Age 12,000 years ago, are also facing a bleak future as loose soil from these unofficial tracks is clogging up their spawning ground.”

During the restoration work, signs will be put up around Helvellyn’s access points and car parks, and marshals will be at the site during helicopter drops.

The work is due to start on 20 April.