The Ramblers inspires people in Yorkshire to Walk About

Local News

This September the Ramblers is getting Yorkshire on its feet with Walk About – its biggest ever free nationwide walking event, offering a walk to suit everyone. But people don’t have to wait to get started. This month (August) the Ramblers has launched a free online tracker that allows people to log their walking activity and make the most of everything the festival has to offer.

The festival takes place from Saturday 3 September until Sunday 11 September. With over a thousand walks all over Britain, and plenty in Yorkshire, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – from a short stroll in the park to a challenging hike up a hill.

During the festival, people in Yorkshire can enjoy the following group-led walks:

Hello Heather
Date: Saturday 3 September
Start time: 9.30am
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A fine circular moorland walk over Swinsty Moor and Lippersley Ridge with great all-round views.
Starting point: Yorkshire Water car park at Blubberhouses
Group: Harrogate Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3850060

York villages
Date: Saturday 3 September
Start time: 10am
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A linear walk along the riverside to some pretty villages near York – choose between walking 4, 7 or 9 miles, then take the bus back into York.
Starting point: Kings Arms Public House, Kings Staithe, York
Group: York Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3856902

Pontefract & East Hardwick
Date: Sunday 4 September
Start time: 10am
Distance: 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A circular route taking in the long-distance Wakefield Way, crossing beautiful open countryside with a mix of paths.
Starting point: Pontefract bus station
Group: Wakefield and District Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3854095

A walk in the Yorkshire Moors
Date: Sunday 4 September
Start time: 10am
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This circular walk heads across the North York Moors, offering up exceptional views.
Starting point: Newgate Bank car park
Group: Ryedale Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3856581

A Walk in East Yorkshire
Date: Monday 5 September
Start time: 1pm
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Join the East Yorkshire and Derwent Ramblers for this circular walk, taking in the pretty countryside near Pocklington.
Starting point: Allerthorpe Village Hall
Group: East Yorkshire & Derwent Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3857852

Fountains Abbey
Date: Wednesday 7 September
Start time: 10.30am
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This circular walk starts near the ruined Cistercian monastery of Fountains Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Starting point: Fountains Abbey car park
Group: York Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3856867

Whitwell to Malton
Date: Saturday 10 September
Start time: 9.45am
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A linear walk through the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You’ll return from Malton on the bus to York.
Starting point: Whitwell on the Hill bus stop
Group: York Ramblers
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3856889

Burton Leonard, Roecliffe, Staveley Nature Reserve
Date: Sunday 11 September
Start time: 10am
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A circular walk taking in the beautiful wetland site with its interesting wildlife and plant species.
Starting point: Village pump, Burton Leonard
Group: Ripon Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3850825

The Rolling Hills of Timble
Date: Sunday 11 September
Start time: 10.30am
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A circular walk taking in some of the hills around this Washburn Valley village.
Starting point: Timble Main Street
Group: West Riding Ramblers
www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/find-a-walk-or-route/walk-detail.aspx?walkID=3850647

For those who prefer to walk alone, or lead their own walks, the Ramblers has picked its favourite routes in Yorkshire, available from Ramblers Routes – an online library of Britain’s best walks:

Whitby, North Yorkshire
Length: 16.6 miles
Walking time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting point: Whitby bus station, North Yorkshire
Description: This linear walk heads along the attractive and dramatic Cleveland Herritage Coast from Whitby to Cloughton via Robin Hood’s Bay and Ravenscar. You’ll pass Whitby Abbey and Ness Point, with great views out towards the bay.
www.ramblers.org.uk/whitby

Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
Length: 9.3 miles
Walking time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting point: Nidd Bridge, Pateley Bridge
Description: This route approaches the Brimham Rocks, an amazing collection of weird rock formations, via a delightful waterside path, along the river southeast from Pateley Bridge.
www.ramblers.org.uk/brimhamrocks

Leeds, West Yorkshire
Length: 4.7 miles
Walking time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starting point: Leeds Town Hall
Description: This circular walk takes you around Leeds civic centre and canal. During this leisurely stroll you’ll pass many historic sites around the city of Leeds including the Town Hall and Leeds City Museum.
www.ramblers.org.uk/route-detail?routeuid=1899-Leeds-West-Yorkshire

Helmsley, East Yorkshire
Length: 2.6 miles
Walking time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty: Leisurely
Starting point: YHA Helmsley, Carlton Lane, Helmsley
Description: A short circular walk around the attractive market town of Helmsley, passing the historic castle ruins. The walk is mostly on surfaced paths but also over field paths and a short section beside the Borough Beck.
www.ramblers.org.uk/route-detail?routeuid=10795-YHA-Helmsley-short-walk

The Ramblers’ director of walking development, Simon Barnett, said: “We all know walking can do wonders for our wellbeing, which is why we want to get the nation on its feet with our biggest free walking festival to date. Walking is good for our health and our minds and we want everyone to be able to experience the many benefits and joys it can bring.

“But we want to encourage people to get more active in advance of the festival, which is why we’ve introduced our new online tracker, which allows people to log all their walking activity and monitor their progress. It’s a great way to build up activity levels, which means that by the time the festival comes around people will be able to step out on a longer walk.”

Designed to suit both the seasoned walker and someone taking their first steps, there are lots of badges and rewards for walking regularly, completing long distances and reaching particular milestones. For example it could be for walking every day in a month or completing the equivalent of the length of Hadrian’s Wall.

Anyone can take part by visiting www.ramblers.org.uk/walkabout and starting to log their walking trips – whether short or long, in the town or the countryside, alone or with friends.

Simon added: “We’re hoping the online element of Walk About will encourage people in Yorkshire to walk more so we can create happier, healthier communities. Not only can you collect badges but there’s also a leaderboard, so people can race their friends and family to the top.

“With a walk to suit everyone, we want the nation to step out with us this September and join us as we Walk About Britain.”

Walk About is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery to help everyone, everywhere enjoy walking.

Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support the Ramblers with their exciting new walking festival, which we know will help thousands of people discover the joys of walking.”

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