This will be no walkover... (From Gazette & Herald)

This will be no walkover...

For experienced walkers, long distance walks mean challenge and achievement. The most well-known walks in our area are the Cleveland Way, Lyke Wake Walk, Coast to Coast and the Wolds Way.

Other not-so-well-known walks can still be as challenging and have alternative footpaths, bridleways and moors to traverse. But before setting out on these arduous routes, let us take a look at basic safety.

Basic safety facts for walkers:

Respect the weather. Remember bad weather is normal, good weather the exception.

Wear strong boots.

Wear the current walking clothes made of modern fabrics which are breathable and dry quickly after becoming wet. Never wear jeans as they can cause hypothermia when wet and a cold wind is blowing.

Carry reserve warm clothing.

Always take a map, compass, whistle, torch and first aid supplies.

Take your mobile phone, but remember, when walking in the wilds and on the moors, you cannot rely on receiving a signal.

Take water and food. Keep emergency food with you, eg mint cake, chocolate and other energy food.

Plan your walk, do not attempt to walk further than your ability allows. Tell someone where you are going and your expected return time, and don't change your mind.

Don't rely on the weather, even if the forecast is good - they are sometimes wrong. You only have to climb a few hundred feet for the weather to change significantly. The mild breeze in the valley can become a gale a few thousand feet higher, with torrential rain and mist at any time of year.

If the weather closes in, be prepared to return to base early - do not continue, hoping it will improve.

If you are trapped for the night and have to take alternative accommodation, let someone know - if there is no one you can contact, tell the police. It might stop a search party risking their lives to find you, if you are already safe.

Learn basic first aid - it might be you who needs it!

Some lesser-known distance walks:

The Derwent Way

This route runs 80 miles from Barmby on the Marsh to Lilla Howe. It was first walked in 1977 and passes through Stamford Bridge, Malton, Sherburn and Langdale End to the finish at Lilla Howe.

The Dales Way

The official start is at Ilkley but there is a spur from Leeds. From Ilkley, the route takes us through, or passes nearby, Bolton Abbey, Grassington, Kettlewell, Buckden, Yockenthwaite, Cam Houses, Dent Head, Sedbergh and then on to the finish at Bowness. A distance of about 80 miles.

The Ebor Way

It starts at Helmsley, and finishes 70 miles away at Ilkley. It links the Cleveland Way to the Dales Way. Now, here's a fine long distance walk - The Cleveland Way in reverse, Filey to Helmsley, the Ebor Way to Ilkley and the Dales Way to the finish at Bowness. A total of around 250 miles.

The White Rose Walk

Linking two great landmarks, this walk starts at Roseberry Topping and ends at the White Horse of Kilburn, using both the Hambleton Hills and Cleveland Hills to achieve its aim. It cuts across to Bloworth Crossing and on to Botton Head.

There are three different routes you can choose to get to the next point. The best is probably the shortest one to Chop Gate, where the Buck Inn can offer you refreshment before toiling on to the Black Hambleton, and to the finish at the White Horse, a total of more than 30 miles.

The Cleveland Street

This starts at Guisborough Priory. It can only be included as a long distance walk if you use the return route, but even then it is not really long. I justify its inclusion as it is an interesting walk with lots of history, as it was a medieval road. The Cleveland Street has been in used since Roman times but was perhaps at its busiest when used as a medieval trade route, linking the outlying regions of Cleveland and North Yorkshire to the market town of Guisborough. In those days, it would have continued through Loftus on to Whitby. It was known as Via de Witbei or Back Street.

Unfortunately, the only navigable part now is from Guisborough to Loftus, a distance of just nine miles. The route is now way-marked and there is a route leaflet available from the Cleveland tourist information centres.

The return route is on the Cleveland Way. Pick up the Cleveland Way on the cliffs and head off to Saltburn, then cut inland to Skelton, Slapewash and Guisborough. This is a round trip of 20 miles.

A new long distance walk?

There are hundreds of footpaths, bridleways, byways, trods and paths across our moors and along our cliffs. Many long distance walks were devised using these trails by individuals and groups to piece together invigorating walks and challenges. I suggest you study your Ordnance Survey maps and have fun making your own long distance walk. Keep to the guidelines for safety and devise your own route. You will enjoy this exercise and make many friends walking the paths around our glorious coast and countryside.

Updated: 11:41 Wednesday, June 01, 2005