Horses for courses. Work is currently in progress to develop the route. The southern section, to North Yorkshire will open by 2002 and the rest of the Trail by 2003. Consultation is underway on a proposal for a northern extension, which would ake the route through Cumbria into Northumberland, ending at Byrness in the Kielder Forest Park, just south of the Scottish Border. Fact File Length: 330km Start: Carsington Reservoir or Middleton Top, Derbyshire Finish: Fat Lamb Inn, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria Terrain: No steep gradients, no stiles, mostly on tracks with a mix of surfaces including some grassy sections. Suitable for mountain bikes not touring cycles. Some exposed terrain on the northern section. Horses, riders and cyclists need to be fit to complete the whole route in one journey. Attractions: 2 National Parks, links to interesting towns and villages including the Settle to Carlisle railway. Bridleway link routes. - From The Countryside Agency
More information