A Peak District national park ranger with Google Trekker backpack on the Monsal Viaduct.

A Peak District national park ranger with Google Trekker backpack on the Monsal Viaduct.

The Peak District national park is claiming two firsts as it celebrates its 63rd birthday.

The park authority is the first in Britain to use Google’s Trekker to produce images of its off-road routes for the internet giant’s Google Maps Street View.

And the Californian company has produced a Google Doodle to mark the park’s anniversary, which is appearing today for anyone using the Google home page to search the internet.

The Trekker is a backpack-borne piece of equipment containing a 15-angle lens camera, which takes 360 degree pictures every 2½ seconds. These are then added to Street View, available through Google Maps.

The gear is 4ft (122cm) tall and weighs 19kg (42½lbs).

The Mountain View company has loaned the national park one of its Trekker units and staff are being trained in using it. The authority said its traffic-free trails are ideal places to trial the Trekker.

Some previous world-famous locations captured include the USA’s Grand Canyon, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and a few of the world’s highest peaks.

Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “I am thrilled to know we are the first UK national park to get the Trekker backpack.

“It is amazing to think that thanks to technology many more people will be able to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the Peak District.

“The Trekker will help bring the Peak District to life online and hopefully inspire families to come and enjoy a walk or a cycle ride in the most beautiful landscapes.”

Emily Clarke from Google said: “We’re excited that the Peak District will be using the Street View Trekker so more of us can experience its famous trails and views from wherever we are.”

Planned routes to be photographed include the Tissington, High Peak, Monsal and Thornhill Trails; Stanage Edge and the Derwent Valley.

The Peak District Google Doodle

The Peak District Google Doodle

The search page Google Doodle has been created with the gritstone Salt Cellar from Derwent Edge with a typical Peak District millstone.

Mr Dixon said: “I’m really excited that Google has chosen to reflect the Peak District national park on its home page.

“The Google Doodle has become an institution since Google’s founders began to change the famous Google logo to reflect different stories.

“As the world now increasingly uses the Google search engine to go about its business, being selected to be a Doodle is very prestigious.

“Across the world only a very few national parks have featured, including Yosemite on its birthday and Mount Fuji when it achieved World Heritage Status.”

Some articles the site thinks might be related:

  1. Reward on offer as bodies condemn destruction of goshawk nest
  2. Extra trail closures announced as work continues to open tunnels
  3. Kinder Mass Trespass centre will benefit from national park grant
  4. Creeping Toad will reveal Peak District past in Longdendale children’s event
  5. First Peak District Cycling Festival starts tomorrow