Walkers heading for Simon’s Seat in Wharfedale will find they are on firmer ground after more than 30 tonnes of stone was airlifted to the beauty spot.

Reclaimed mill floor flags from Lancashire were transported to the site on Barden Fell by helicopter in an operation organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Phil Richards, area ranger for Wharfedale and Littondale, said: “Over the years the paths leading to and from Simon’s Seat have increasingly become more popular, which, in turn, has impacted on the surrounding vegetation and underlying peat.

“In order to manage the erosion problems and protect the fragile landscape – which is important for ground nesting birds such as Golden Plover, Merlin and Red Grouse – measures have to be taken to minimise the impact.”

Moira Smith, visitor manager for the Bolton Abbey Estate, which owns and manages Barden Fell, said: “The stone flags provide an all-weather, low-maintenance path for people to use which, at the same time, fits in with the surrounding character of the uplands. The idea of using flags is nothing new – they were used centuries ago, creating pack horse routes across the Pennines.’’