Walkers descend the path towards Bruntscar on Whernside. Photo: Andy Kay/Yorkshire Dales NPA
Footpath repairs on Yorkshire’s highest fell have been completed.
Rebuilding of the Bruntscar path on Whernside took place as part of the Mend Our Mountains appeal.
The appeal to raise £46,000 for the Pitch in for Whernside project was launched in November 2017 as part of the British Mountaineering Council’s campaign to bring in £1m for path renovations throughout the country’s national parks.
The Whernside project is the first of 13 in the appeal to be completed.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s member champion for recreation management Nick Cotton said: “The stone pitching on the new Bruntscar path is quite different to the uniform steps and small stone that came before it.
“Much larger, local stone has been pitched in a random style, allowing people to pick and choose where they step.
“The work could not have taken place without the generous support of the general public and businesses, and the landowner. I think the success of the Pitch in for Whernside campaign shows just how much people care for the national park and for good access in the countryside.
“Thank you to everyone who donated money or time, or gifts to attract crowdfunding.”
Jonathan Smith of the Yorkshire Dales walking company Where2Walk said: “The Bruntscar path is a big improvement on the difficult descent of the past.
“The groups I have taken this year are much more confident and less worried about the descent. It may not be fully bedded in yet, but it is already much safer. Good job!”
The national park authority said hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals have pitched in via collection tins, online donations and crowdfunding, while businesses including HF Holidays, Hanson UK, The Traddock at Austwick and Skyhook Helicopters have also lent support.
The path is used by an estimated 60,000 people each year, many of whom are attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, summiting Whernside as well as Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough, walking between the three mountains in a 39km (24-mile) route.
Jackie Aspden
02 May 2023Admittedly I am in my late 70’s and it’s nearly 49 years since my MLC Assessment but I wasn’t impressed by the change to the descent. Possibly my varyfocal contact lenses made foot placement more difficult but I was thankful that the surface was dry.
In my opinion the changes have made the circuit safer to reverse and ascend by this route.
Why are there bags of random slate blocks by the side of the path for future work?
Noticed elsewhere that 4” random rubble has been deployed on a bridleway descent making it virtually impossible to ride by mtb. Had to descend on grass following the farmer on his quad - he also avoided the track.