The new stepping stones in Eskdale

National park workers have replaced stepping stones across a Lakeland river to make it easier for walkers to use.

The ancient stones across the River Esk near Boot had become difficult to cross and were often covered in water.

The stones have been replaced by locally sourced granite by Lake District National Park Authority field teams. The crossing is near St Catherine’s Church, close to the Dalegarth terminus of a narrow gauge railway.

Field ranger Phil Clague said: “The improved access will benefit people taking a short walk from the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway at Dalegarth, and provide a link to the popular waterfalls at Stanley Gill.

“The stepping stones are part of a wider scheme to improve access in the area.

“We will be looking at a number of routes and are pleased to be working with the Boot Riverside Action Group, made up of parish councillors and local landowners.

“Also, farmers kindly let us select and take the new stepping stones from their land, so a great community effort all round.”

He said the park authority was working with local groups to earmark routes for renovation, improvement and look at the possibility of creating new ones.