The repaired path leads to Ingleborough's summit from Chapel-le-Dale

A mountaineering body has teamed up with a national park authority to repair one of the most popular routes in the Yorkshire Dales.

The steep stone path leading up to Ingleborough’s summit from Chapel-le-Dale was suffering from the thousands of boots using the route to gain access to the 724m (2,375ft) mountain.

The British Mountaineering Council’s Access and Conservation Trust provided about £6,000 towards the cost of repairs to the steep stone steps above High Lot, on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge route. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chipped in with the remainder.

Steve Hastie, the authority’s area ranger for Ribblesdale and Three Peaks Project manager said: “The finished result is a big improvement – it’s now back to top condition.

“The slope is very steep and the path gets tremendous levels of use. This combination resulted in the steps slumping over, which meant the section of path was becoming difficult to use.

“In addition, the path is within the Ingleborough national nature reserve, managed by Natural England, so it’s important to provide a good walking surface and protect the surrounding habitats.”

Malcolm Petyt, the authority’s member champion for recreation management, said:  “Working in partnerships with like-minded organisations benefits everybody and we’re very grateful to the trust for its grant.

“The Three Peaks area needs extra help because of its enormous popularity. When you think that the area is visited by about 250,000 people each year, you realise the scale of work that is needed to keep the path network in top condition.”

Cath Flitcroft, the BMC’s access and conservation officer, said: “The Access and Conservation Trust fully supports the objectives of the Three Peaks Project and is pleased to be able to assist the authority’s work to maintain this important and popular footpath.”