‘Hidden’ Dales gem in top ten best walks

The list has been selected by experts at the National Trust to showcase unique walking experiences and follows research showing that nearly a third of people (29 per cent) in Yorkshire rarely go for walks and 17 per cent never venture more than 500 metres from their car.

In Malham, North Yorkshire, the walk from the village to Janet’s Foss caught the eye of judges who listed it in top spot.

The path leads to a waterfall and a cave which legend says is home to the Queen of the Fairies, Janet or Jennet.

The Malham walk was chosen for its “beauty and sense of stillness”.

Also on the list are little-known walks at Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland; a new route at the White Cliffs of Dover; at the Giant’s Ring stone circle in Northern Ireland; at Erddig, Wales; a hidden and hard to find route to a 1,600-year-old yew tree near Sizergh Castle, Lake District; Sparrow Dale, Sheringham Park, Norfolk; Trelissick, Cornwall; 
Stowe, Buckinghamshire, and at Attingham, Shropshire.

The list is promoting the National Trust’s Great British Walk which aims to get more people walking.

Martin Davies, National Trust property manager for the Yorkshire Dales said: “We’re delighted that the walk to Janet’s Foss in the Yorkshire Dales was selected as one of the top ten British Walks, and we hope The Great British Walk this year encourages people to experience new places on foot.

“With 64 per cent of people keen to get out and walk more, and 89 per cent agreeing walking is one of life’s simple pleasures, hopefully our top ten list shows there is something for everyone to enjoy in the outdoors.

“We’ve got hundreds of easy to follow walks around the country available to download so are hoping the public will join in and get exploring.”

Download a walk at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greatbritishwalk