Lakeland walkers will find the going a little easier, thanks to a bequest from a lover of the fells.

Two paths have been repaired, using money from a substantial legacy left to the Ramblers’ Association (RA) in the will of Lancaster man Maurice Sharpe. The Hole Rake route from Tilberthwaite to the Coppermines Valley of Coniston has been restored after a pounding from thousands of boots.

The Old Man of Coniston and Coppermines Valley from Hole Rake 

400m of the 3.5km route have been restored. Damaged drains had led to erosion of the historic route, formerly used by mineworkers but now a major high-level link between the Coppermines and Tilberthwaite Gill. More than £2,000 from Mr Sharpe’s bequest has been spent on the £6,500 project. Money from the legacy, which was to maintain fellwalkers’ freedom in the Lake District, was also used recently for repairs to a path between Hayeswater and The Knott in the High Street range.

Tony Rogers, the RA’s area footpath secretary, said: “We are pleased to use some of the Sharpe Fund money as a contribution to Fix the Fells projects.”

Fix the Fells project advisor Richard Fox said of the Hole Rake renovation: “Work has centred on stabilising eroded earth and re-instating critical drainage. Walkers will now be able to enjoy this beautiful area with the added advantage of a vastly improved route.

“We are very grateful to the RA, which has given us money to mend a path annually for the last five years. This commitment from such a high-profile ‘user’ organisation is fantastic.”

The Fix the Fells scheme is backed by the Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and Natural England.