Monday 19 October 2009

Free online walking guides go live

A series of online walking guides are now available to download thanks to a successful partnership between Cumbria County Council and a renowned guidebook author.
The County Council’s countryside access team has been working alongside Mark Richards to produce these guides –that are available for free on the council’s website –to highlight open access walks around the Geltsdale and Castle Carrock areas, between Carlisle and Brampton.
Mark Richards, a friend of the legendary walking guide author and artist Alfred Wainwright, has been producing guides for more than 35 years and his style, including his pen and ink drawings are influenced by Wainwright’s work.
Funding to create the download leaflets has been secured from Natural England who are promoting the wealth of recreational and natural health benefits that can be gained by people putting on their walking boots and making good use of open access land on their doorstep.
The detailed guides, featuring walks of differing lengths and challenges, have been produced in a clearly detailed and easy to follow format. They include maps and information about the history of the area and this is written in a humorous and user-friendly style.
The countryside access team worked with Mark on this project to promote and encourage a wide range of people to enjoy the great outdoors by visiting and walking on open access land. Making them available online as opposed to producing them in a leaflet format is an environmentally friendly option and allows people to download the guides as and when they are required.
The guides that are now online feature walks at Cold Fell, Talkin Fell, Geltsdale, Castle Carrock Fell and Thack Moor and Black Fell.
Geoff Fewkes, countryside ranger for Cumbria County Council said: "These guides will be very beneficial to walkers when they want to get out an about in this beautiful corner of Cumbria. They can be used by experienced walkers and novices alike and will hopefully encourage people to explore the area. I’m delighted we’ve been able to work with Mark on the guides –his experience and talent have been invaluable in pulling them together."
Danny Moores, delivery leader for access at Natural England said: "We are delighted to fund this series of first class walking guides working with Cumbria County Council. The guides will help and inspire people to get out-and-about and reap the benefits of the natural environment while visiting such scenic and special locations".
The guides can be downloaded from the open access pages within the countryside access menu at
www.cumbria.gov.uk/openaccesswalks

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