THE Ramblers organisation has launched a nationwide survey of the country’s footpaths to share their beauty – and highlight problems such as blocked paths or broken gates.

The Big Pathwatch asks people to adopt a square kilometre from the UK map and to walk the paths within that square. They can then flag-up via the app or via the Ramblers’ website any problems. It might be a wonky bridge, a locked gate, a flooded path or fallen tree. The Ramblers will then try to resolve those problems.

But they are also asking walkers to share pictures of the views and wildlife that they come across en route.

In Cumbria there are 4,600 miles of footpaths – nationally there are over 140,000 paths. These are managed by Cumbria County Council in partnership with the Lakes District National Park Authority. They can prosecute people who put obstructions across paths or who disturb them in any way.

Problems can be reported by phoning the county council on 0845 609 6609 or emailing betterhighways.carlisle@cumbria.gov.uk.

Cumbrian rambler and fell walker, Vivienne Crow, said: “Generally the standard of paths in Cumbria is pretty good – aside from the Eden Valley. People are more and more beginning to see beyond the Lake District and head to north and west Cumbria. But paths have got to be used to keep them open.”

To learn more about the Big Pathwatch or to take part, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/bigpathwatch