'One Hundred Cumbrian Paths Open For Easter'

One hundred footpaths in Cumbria are due to be opened for Easter, though the situation is precarious and new outbreaks of the infection could mean closures.

The routes have been looked at according to the recently issued government guidelines and have all been assessed as being of low risk and include a newly fenced path leading to Sherpherd's Crag - though the car park is closed so you'll have to either jump a lift or catch the bus from Keswick.

Many of the paths designated are in the less popular west coast area of the county or on the fringes of the National Park. You can see a complete list of the paths due to open here at the Cumbria County Council web site.

Bear in mind that none of these are open fell paths, most are roadside, forest, coastal or lakeside perambulations, plus a new outbreak at Threlkeld at the base of Blencathra has meant the cancelling of several of these emphasising just how precarious the situation is.

There's also a Cumbria helpline: 01228-590242, which will be open over Easter as well as normal working hours during the week.

For general information on the situation nationwide sorted by location check out the IPROW site for details of climbing crags with access throughout the UK look at the BMC site.