Across Great Britain, Ramblers volunteers and everyday walkers play a vital role in keeping our footpath network open and accessible, maintaining gates and bridges and preventing our paths from becoming blocked or overgrown.

Get involved and help us protect our paths today – We’ve outlined five easy ways you can make a real difference to the paths near you.

Pick up litter on your next walk 

Regular walkers access more of the outdoors than anyone else, and Ramblers groups are often out walking paths that are not reached by litter picking services. Next time you head out why not take an empty bag with you and fill it up with any litter you come across?

Find out more about looking after the environment when out walking

Clear small obstructions when out walking 

If you come across a blocked path whilst out walking then you are allowed to cut back as much overgrowth as needed to get by with a small pair of secateurs. If you’re finding it difficult to walk past, then other people will be as well. Consider taking some secateurs on your next walk, but make sure you are definitely on a right of way!

Take a look at our FAQs for clearing obstructions on paths

Report any path problems you come across

If you come across any path problems that are too big for you to remove on your walk – for example, things like barbed wire across a path, missing waymarks, broken gates or stiles, or large obstructions such as a fence or a house – then report them to your local authority, or use our Pathwatch app.

Find out more about how to report problems here

Share photos of your favourite walk, or your favourite path, on social media

The best way to protect the path network is to get more people out using them, enjoying them and standing up for them. There are great walks, hidden paths, and unique places across the country, and the best way to inspire more people to get out walking is to share these with everyone.

Take a photo of your favourite place to walk and share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – Use the hashtag #YourPathAwaits, and tag us (click on the above links to find our profiles) so we can share your photos even further.

Become a Ramblers path volunteer

You can get more involved by signing up to volunteer with your local Ramblers group – Get out clearing paths and installing gates with a path maintenance team, or sign up to be a footpath officer to have a say over potential changes and amendments to the rights of way network.

Find out what opportunities are available near you