The Yorkshire Dales has more than 1,000 sq km of access landWalkers are being encouraged to use access land in the Yorkshire Dales with a series of guided walks.

The national park authority is staging free accompanied outings in different areas of the Dales. The walks will take place over the next three months and will be led by rangers with an expert knowledge of the areas.

The Yorkshire Dales has more than 1,000 sq km of access land 

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act opened up more than 1,000 square km of land within the Yorkshire Dales, and the ranger-led walks will give a chance to see the open-access parts of the land. The first one is on 6 July and the programme continues until 15 September.

Ranger-services manager Alan Hulme said: “The walks are a chance for people to exercise their new rights by exploring new areas of the national park and, at the same time, learning more about its special qualities.

“They will be shown around by the relevant area ranger who has an intimate knowledge of the particular section and can explain the work of the Ranger Service.”

Contact details are on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority website.