The Pennine Bridleway is a new National Trail in the north of England, designed specifically for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers to enjoy.
This latest phase of work by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Natural England will contribute to the 200 miles of bridleway running from Derbyshire through Yorkshire to Cumbria.
During this major work at Garsdale Station towards the northern border of the National Park, about 3.5 miles of track will be developed along existing and newly created public rights of way, drainage will be installed with minimal disturbance to the surrounding vegetation and landscape. This new section will be finished to recognised National Trail standards and suitable for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers.
Peter Lambert, the YDNPA Pennine Bridleway Project Officer, said the Authority had been working closely with local landowners and user groups: “We have a unique opportunity to create a new section of bridleway through the magnificent Dales upland landscape. We are very grateful to the landowners, farmers and parish councils involved, for their help and co-operation which has been vital in getting the next phase off the ground.”
The newly created section will run from the Coal Road at Garsdale Station, across Dandry Mire to the Moorcock Inn, before heading across to Yorehouse and joining The Highway, a historic route which will lead users out to Mallerstang.
This new section will add to the 77.7km of Pennine Bridleway already completed across the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The trail enters the National Park at Long Preston, weaving through the Dales via Settle, Malham Moor, Feizor, Austwick, Selside, Newby Head and exiting at the Cumbria county boundary above Garsdale. Users will travel through some of the most outstanding scenery and wildlife habitats including the Ingleborough Complex Special Area for Conservation and Ingleborough National Nature Reserve.
By March 2010 the National Park Authority hopes to have 97 per cent of the route completed, with the remaining three per cent to be finished in 2011.
The Pennine Bridleway project is now actively seeking new accommodation providers along its route for humans and horses. There will be a Business Workshop in November to provide more detailed information.
The Pennine Bridleway is free to access and further information is available from www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway
