LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Keen to explore God’s Own Country? Hazel Heppenstall from our Castleford branch shares a few of her favourite Yorkshire getaways.

Name: Hazel Heppenstall

Store: Castleford, Leeds

Main activities: Walking, Mountain Biking, Keeping fit Part of team Ellis Brigham for: 18 months

Malham Cove Yorkshire Dales

This 7-mile circular walk at Malham has a little of everything, including lots of beautiful picnic spots – such as Gordale Scar canyon and a pretty little waterfall known as Janet’s Foss. There’s a climb up the gorge to reach Malham Cove, where you can crisscross the 70m high limestone pavement and peer over the edge. Then head down the many steps and follow the

Dalby Forest

My go-to spot on a mountain bike is Dalby Forest just outside Pickering. There are loads of different trails here for all abilities – just grab a route map from the visitors centre. The tracks are well-maintained and wind through the pine trees, with plenty of climbs to keep you fit. There’s also a great cafe back at the centre where you can refuel on coffee and cake.

SIMON’S SEAT

Simon’s Seat is part of the Bolton Abbey estate in the Yorkshire Dales. A childhood favourite, I’ve done this walk many times in all weather conditions. Scramble through heather to reach the top and take in the wide-open views, then follow the stone path back down and along the River Wharfe through the woods. Here you’ll pass ‘The Strid’, a very narrow section of river where the force of water always fills me

Latok Paclite Plus Jacket

Built for the unexpected, compressible in a pack, and resilient enough to keep you dry in sudden storms, this ultralight, breathable GORE-TEX shell is the ultimate backup shell for alpine ascents.