WHETHER you're a Sunday afternoon walker or a rambler who likes to do 20 miles across rough moorland before breakfast, this is a great time of year.
The magnificent Yorkshire countryside is approaching its best and if you're lucky, you may avoid getting caught in a summer downpour.
The trouble is, much of the most beautiful countryside is out of York. No problem if you have access to your own wheels. But what if you don't have a car or don't wish to drive?
Local rambler Patsy Pendegrass has come to the rescue, with a handy little guide entitled simply Car-Free Countryside Walks Accessible From York (Quacks Books, £4.99).
Patsy has put together descriptions of 15 great walks in the Vale of York, the Wolds, and the North York Moors, ranging from three to 12 miles. Each route description is accompanied by a hand-drawn map and - best of all for the non-motorist -instructions about buses to get you to the beginning and end of the walk.
As she points out in her introduction, many people on holiday in York have left their cars at home, while others people have no access to a car. These walks are for you.
If you fancy a stiffer challenge, why not forgo the fortnight in Ibiza and tackle the Coast to Coast Path instead?
The path runs for more than 190 miles from St Bees on the west coast to Robin Hood's Bay, taking in much of the most beautiful countryside of the Lakes, the Dales and the North York Moors along the way.
If that seems like a tall order, a new Trailblazer guide, Coast To Coast Path: St Bees To Robin Hood's Bay by Henry Stedman (Trailblazer Publications, £9.99) aims to make it as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.
The guide includes detailed directions, 108 hand-drawn maps covering every inch of the route, and useful advice on planning, places to stay and places to eat. A great adventure: and imagine the feeling of arriving at Robin Hood's bay having walked right across the country.
Car Free Countryside Walks Accessible From York is available from Quacks Books, 7 Grape Lane, Petergate, York YO1 7HU at £4.99 plus 50p P&P (cheques payable to Patsy Pendegrass) or from local bookshops. Profits go to the Ramblers' Association.
Updated: 09:08 Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article