There are currently 130 Fix the Fells volunteers, coming from Cumbria and beyond. Some are retired and others work full time but they all have one thing in common – they love the fells!
A key part of the role of the volunteers is to walk upland paths on path maintenance days, more prosaically known as ‘drain runs’. This is where drains are cleared of stones and excess vegetation to keep the water off the paths and areas of stone-pitching are swept to remove loose stones and soil to keep it more tempting to walk on. Drain runs can be done in small or large groups or even solo. They are essential to help keep our paths working as they should and to prevent them deteriorating to the point where they need more substantial repairs
Volunteers get involved in “work parties” which can include building drains, constructing handmade paths and removing pigeon holes (the first signs of a developing erosion problem). Much of this work is supervised by our rangers but unsupervised work parties also take place owing to the high level of skills developed. You can read more about path repair techniques here.
In 2023 the Fix the Fells volunteers gifted over 2,500 days on the mountain paths. They completed hundreds of path maintenance days in all weathers – a truly phenomenal year of work. We could not undertake the volume of Fix the Fells work without them and their enthusiasm makes the programme what it is.
Training for volunteers includes learning the practical skills of path maintenance and repair, navigation skills, first aid and manual handling. In return for this training, we ask all volunteers to commit to a minimum of 12 days every year.
Additionally, it’s not just people that volunteer – we also have a few furry friends who sometimes accompany the volunteers on the fells, including Hamish the West Highland White. They spend their time “supervising” the work.
Fix the Fells Volunteer, Barry Capp, says:
“Volunteering as part of the Fix the Fells team provides great personal enjoyment, satisfaction and camaraderie as well as making a really useful contribution to the repair and maintenance of our spectacular Lake District upland paths and landscape. It is also a brilliant way of keeping fit and active in a unique, all-weather environment”.
Want to get involved?
Following a large recruitment in 2024, the decision has been made not to recruit additional Fix the Fells Volunteers in 2025. This will allow for the further training and development of the 2024 recruits and existing Fix the Fells team. We currently have sufficient numbers of Fix the Fells volunteers to carry out the work required to care for the Lake District’s mountain paths, and supporting these volunteers is our priority. We are planning to recruit in 2026, however other opportunities to volunteer with the Lake District National Park Authority can be found on the current volunteering opportunities page of the LDNPA website.
You may enjoy a taste of the sort of things we do by taking part in a “Fell Care Day” organised by our partner organisation Friends of the Lake District. Everyone is welcome at these fun and worthwhile events and details can be seen on their website here.
Thank you!