New app puts the Dales in your iPhone

Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales National Park can use the new, service to help them enjoy the landscape.

The free smartphone app includes walking, cycling and mountain biking routes as well as information and facts.

The app has been paid for by Go Dales!, a project run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) with funding from Sport England that is designed to inspire young people to get active.

Kath Needham, Go Dales! project officer, said: “We have created a resource to offer inspiration on the types of activities on offer in the national park.

“Go Dales! research suggests that even though participants may have been introduced to the wonders of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, some may hesitate to return through lack of ideas about things they can do and places they can go. The app will provide a lot of answers so they can plan their visit in advance.”

The app is based on Malham and Hawes but more are expected to follow.

It includes points of interest, panoramic views and access information for people with limited mobility

Karen Griffiths, YDNPA interpretation officer, said: “It means you can use GPS on your smartphone to explore the national park and it will alert you to points of interest: archaeology, history, scenery, landscape.

“It’s your own personal, digital guide in your pocket.”

The app is available on iPhone. Android, Blackberry and Symbian phone versions will be available soon.