National Trails

Four of Britain's finest National Trails are here in Yorkshire. The Cleveland Way roller-coasts around the North York Moors from Ryedale to the sea; the Yorkshire Wolds Way rambles through peaceful fields and over gentle chalk-hills; the Pennine Way strides through the Yorkshire Dales on its mammoth journey from the Peak District to Scotland; and the Pennine Bridleway is a new purpose-built route for walkers and riders (horse or bike).

To enjoy a National Trail you don't have to do the whole thing end-to-end. And you don't have to be hardy hiker. Here's a selection of short Try a Trail walks for you to download and do: 

Thixendale Round (4.74MB)
 Settle Loop Round (3.10MB)  
 Ravenscar Round (2.24MB)
 Hebden Bridge Round (2.27MB)
 Market Weighton Meander (693KB)

Once you've sampled a few days on one of Yorkshire's National Trails, walking a route in its entirety will surely be your next aim. It may take a week or longer, but the sense of achievement is supreme, while close contact with the natural environment provides its own spiritual rewards - and it doesn't do the waistline any harm either.

This year, the Yorkshire Wolds Way is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Top Trails in Yorkshire magazine, featuring Lonely Planet's Walking in Britain guide author David Else on the Yorkshire section of the Pennine Way, is available from Tourist Information Centres in Yorkshire and Yorkshire Tourist Board.

National Trails in Yorkshire map

The Yorkshire Wolds Way and part of the Cleveland Way form part of the British section of the European E2 walking route, while the coastal section of the Cleveland Way forms part of the North Sea Trail.

For further information visit:

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/
www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/e2.html
http://www.northseatrail.org/