Private Lands Portfolio: Whinstone Lee Tor

In 2014 and 2015, we resurfaced a section of the popular Whinstone Lee Tor path on Moscar Moor, along Derwent Edge. The aim was to reduce the width of the path, protecting and restoring adjacent moorland, as well as to improve access. We managed the work on behalf of the landowner, with funding from Natural England's Higher Level Stewardship scheme.

We restored the much-loved walking route overlooking Ladybower Reservoir using materials that were carefully chosen to weather and integrate into the surrounding landscape over time.

Potential archaeological sensitives surrounding the area meant that 16 special test pit investigations had to be completed before any works could begin. Only once they were finished and exclusive permission was granted, was conservation allowed to get underway.

In total we conserved a 2.5km stretch of the path using techniques like stone pitching and substrate reversal (creating a surface from material taken from under the line of the path). More than 350 helicopter airlifts transported materials onto site, including around 200 tonnes of pitching stones.

Once the work on the pathway was completed, the surrounding area was treated with lime, grass seed, fertiliser and cut heather brash, to aid vegetation re-growth in the bare peat around the edges of the path.