North Yorkshire walks

The river walk alongside the Ure near the market town of Masham is about as good as any in the UK.

That's the opinion of Keith Wadd, vice chairman of the West Riding branch of the Ramblers' Association, and few would argue with him.

He guided me on this 10-mile walk starting from the market square in Masham.

Soon, outside the town we're on the banks of this magnificent waterway, part of which is on the Ripon Rowel, a long distance circular walk devised by the Ripon group of the Ramblers' Association.

The "rowel" is a type of steel which was manufactured in the area for use in spurs.

Along the Ure

The banks of the River Ure boast spring flowers in abundance including speedwell and wood anemones. It's very broad and with the morning sun glinting off the water, swans gliding effortlessly along, the Ure really does offer a joyous spectacle.

But this walk is not just about the Ure. After a detour to a bridge to cross the River Burn we leave the Ure to head towards Hack Fall Wood, which is about two miles outside of Grewelthorpe.

Keith Wadd is no less praiseworthy of Hack Fall Wood and he's in good company.

In the wood's heyday, during the 19th century, writers and artists visited this landscaped "beautiful wilderness". Many couldn't contain their joy at what they found.

Unfortunately this walk offers just a glimpse of the wood's splendour before we head uphill, through Nutwith Common and to the edge of the moors.

Nature spotting

On the way we hear the trill call of the Curlew, Europe's largest wading bird, recognisable by its long curled bill.

And on the moorland we pass grouse butts before reaching the small village of Ilton, after which we drop to Sole Beck in a hidden gem of a valley.

We drop down its flanks of brown bracken, to cross a footway over the beck and zig-zag up the other side.

The final leg of this walk crosses numerous fields and through or over stiles, too many to count.

This stretch is a special place for Keith Wadd. He helped open up the footpath and clear the stiles of overgrowth that had made it impossible to walk.

The route takes us gently back into Masham having enjoyed what's described as 'some of the best landscape Britain can offer' in the shape of the Ure and Hack Fall Wood.