This is an ideal book for those of us of advancing years and for families with children. The longest walk in the book is just over 7 miles (11.5km) and the shortest a mere 1 mile (1.5km).
Nidderdale is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Covering approximately 600 square kilometres it is situated in the eastern portion of the Yorkshire Dales and stretches across to the Vale of York. It has a rich and varied landscape – heather moorlands, steep river valleys, woodlands and rolling pastures. It is punctuated by drystone walls, traditional field barns and pretty villages.
The walks cover an area from Jervaulx Abbey in the North to Lindley Wood in the South; from Howstean Gorge in the West to Knaresborough and the Nidd Gorge in the East. The routes have been chosen to reflect the varied nature of the area. Some walks explore historic buildings, parks and gardens whilst others focus more on the natural landscape or on the man-made reservoirs that form an important haven for wildlife. The author, John Fallis, has tried to ensure that all the routes in the book are well signposted and are on good paths thus preventing any route-finding difficulties.
At the beginning of each walk in the book there is the start/finish location with both a postcode and what3words address, parking and transport information, estimated walking time, total distance and ascent, details of public toilets on the route, refreshment availability and a summary of the key highlights of the walk and what the walker will see as they travel along the route.
All the walks are circular and an Ordnance Survey map at a scale of 1:25,000 is included in each of the chapters. The route descriptions are well written and divided into small sections with numbering on the map accordingly for each of these sections.
Located north east of Wharfedale these walks in Nidderdale are within easy reach of Ilkley, Otley and other areas served by this newspaper by car, and also several of the starting points for the walks can be accessed by using the Dalesbus service during the summer months.
No matter what your age or ability is, there are walks in this book that will suit your capabilities. Enjoy!
15 Short Walks in Nidderdale by John Fallis os published by Cicerone Books - £9.95.
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