Report - Section 6.9

6.9   National Trails

6.9.1 The Pennine Bridleway
The Pennine Bridleway, a trail of 350 miles (560km), is under development through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Northumberland. The whole trail will be available for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers. The first stage to open is the Mary Townley Loop, a circular route of 42 miles (68km) between the Yorkshire Dales and Peak National Parks, developed with the support of the Countryside Agency, Sport England with RES/DEFRA support.

6.9.2 The South Downs Way
The South Downs Way (161 km) follows the old routes and droveways of ancient man across the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. All of the route is available to horse-riders except the coastal section between Eastbourne and Alfriston (17.5km/11 miles).

6.9.3 Other trails
Significant parts of the Ridgeway, and small fragments of the Thames Path and the North Downs Way are open for access to horse riders.

6.9.4 Other riding routes
A number of other recreational riding routes have opened or are under development, achieved through a range of partners and mechanism. These include: Peddar’s Way in Norfolk (63 miles), Sabrina Way in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire (part open), Jack Mytton Way in Shropshire, Icknield Way from Bedfordshire to Suffolk (120 miles) and Swan’s Way from Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire to Goring-on-Thames (65 miles).