Читать книгу Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and East. Howgills, Mallerstang, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Coverdale and Nidderdale онлайн

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Distinctive signs mark the boundary of the national park (Walk 8)

The national park takes the Swaledale as its emblem (Walk 30)

Almost all of today’s roads follow ancient lines of travel, as do many of the paths and tracks that lie away from the tarmac. There are few main roads, however, and the majority of the narrow lanes are relatively traffic free and a delight to walk, cycle or ride. In addition, there are in excess of 3200km (2000 miles) of designated footpaths, bridleways and tracks, which contour the dales, climb the intervening hills and criss-cross the open moors. And, following the implementation of the CROW Act in 2000, around 1087km² (about 420 square miles), including the majority of the upland area, is now designated open access land.

Much of the countryside encompassed within the legislation is upland moor and heath, and is identified on OS Explorer maps by peach-coloured (open land) and light-green (woodland) tints. Access points on the ground are usually identified by a circular brown-and-white symbol of a walking figure. Within these areas you have a right to wander (but not cycle), even where there is no path, but there are responsibilities too. These are generally common sense, such as following the Countryside Code (see www.openaccess.gov.uk) and being careful not to cause damage. Dogs are sometimes permitted too, but should be on a close lead near livestock and during the bird-breeding season (1 March to 31 July). However, on many of the grouse moors dogs are not allowed at any time other than on designated public footpaths. Landowners are entitled to suspend or restrict access for short periods, for example during the grouse-shooting season or while heather and gorse burning takes place. There may also be restrictions for conservation purposes. Such closures are notified in advance and should be respected, but do not affect any public rights of way that may run across the land.