THE North York Moors National Park’s third annual WalkFest returns next week.

Taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, from May 27 to 29, the programme of guided themed walk will take participants to some special places in the park, including Ampleforth College, the Hole of Horcum, Robin Hood’s Bay and Rievaulx Abbey.

Mike Winterflood, voluntary ranger and walks leader/co-ordinator at the National Park, said: “The North York Moors National Park offers some of the most spectacular views in the country, not all of them are always accessible by car.

“These walks will take our visitors to some our favourite and most special places, both familiar and unfamiliar.”

The programme of walks is:

Saturday, May 27

- Over moors and dales: Linear walk from Blakey Ridge with some lesser known paths and view, including a visit to the Robinson Danby Collection of local artefacts.

- Geocaching Treasure Hunt: Three-mile walk with clues and goodies in hidden boxes along the way using one of the National Park’s GPS units.

- Ampleforth Amble: Circular walk taking in Ampleforth College, including the church designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

- The Derelict, the Restored and the Remains: Takes in Saltergate Inn, Newton Dale and Skelton Tower, view of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Dundale Pond, Bronze Age tumuli and the Hole of Horcum.

- A Taste of Smuggling: Join Paul Johnston from Baytown Beers and “Smuggler George” for a gentle 60-minute stroll round Robin Hood’s Bay to discover its dangers, hiding places and secret passages – rounded off by a locally-brewed beer.

Sunday, May 28

- Conquer the Cleveland Way Part 1 - Helmsley to Sutton Bank: Strenuous linear walk from Helmsley to Sutton Bank, via the 800-year-old ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and the site of the Hambleton Down racecourse.

- Enjoy the Esk Valley Walk Part 1 – Castleton to Blakey Ridge: From Castleton to the famous Lion Inn via Rosedale Head, taking in the ancient White Cross (Fat Betty) and the two Ralph Crosses.

- The Manor of Spaunton: Explore one of the few remaining English manors with an active Court Leet. Includes three villages which date back to at least Norman times.

- Mammal Tracking Treasure Hunt: Search the grounds of the NYMNPA’s two visitor centres at Sutton Bank and Danby for animal footprints, collecting missing letters to find the magic code word for the treasure box.

- A Taste of Smuggling: As Saturday, May 27.

Monday, May 29

- A Moor Gate Meander: Circular walk taking in the moorlands and dales of Hawnby Moor, Wetherhouse Moor and Bildale.

- Conquer the Cleveland Way Part 2 – Clay Bank to Kildale: Strenuous linear walk the village of Kildale via Urra Moor, the highest point on the North York Moors and the remote Bloworth Crossing, where ironstone was once transported.

- Enjoy the Esk Valley Walk Part 2 – Blakey Ridge to Castleton: From the Lion Inn to Castleton via the former mineral railway line and moorland paths leading to the source of the River Esk.

Places on the walks cost from £5 to £10 per head (the mammal tracking treasure hunt is free for adults and £3 for children), with many, including refreshments. Return transport by minibus is included for all the linear walks.

For more information on any of the walks, visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/walkingfestival.

Bookings for any of the WalkFest events can be made at northyorkmoors.eventbrite.com.