THE GREAT OUTDOORS

While there are many inside attractions to be found in the Lakes, the Bay area, the Lune Valley and the Dales, it is undoubtedly the great outdoors that attracts many of the millions of visitors to the region each year.

And the person who has arguably had most influence on them in recent decades is that late, great fellwalker, writer and artist Alfred Wainwright, whose best-selling guides describe walks encompassing 214 Lakeland fells.

Whether it is a Wainwright hike, nature ramble or more challenging activity such as white water kayaking, this part of the North West certainly has it all.

Here are some of the most popular outdoor pastimes for visitors and locals alike.

Climbing

The Lake District is England's premier climbing location and is the venue for the internationally-renowned Kendal Mountain Film Festival, an increasingly prestigious event second only to the Calgary festival in Canada.

The area is famous as the birthplace of modern rock climbing and thousands flock to the crags each year to test the toughest of routes, including classics such as Dow Crag, Gimmer or Esk Buttress.

And there are plenty of Lakes-based experts on hand to pass on their rock climbing skills, such as Stuart and Anna Carter, who run a company called Climb365.

Rock climbing skills are also taught by experts based at Patterdale Youth Hostel. The courses run most weekends from March to November, with long weekends and five-day courses also available. Patterdale is close to a variety of climbing locations and the crags used are selected to take account of the experience of group members as well as the weather and local conditions.

And for indoor as well as outdoor climbing experience and tuition there is always the Lakeland Climbing Centre on the Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge, Kendal.

Fishing

Angling holidays are an increasingly popular pastime for visitors to Cumbria and in particular there are plenty of locations for fly fishing enthusiasts.

The rivers Derwent, Kent, Lune and Esk are Lake District salmon rivers with the added attraction of both sea trout runs and resident brown trout. And fishing for other species such char and pike is also available in the area.

Hotels and guesthouses are often able to arrange fishing permits for guests. In South Lakeland, for example, the Hawkshead B&B Ann Tyson's House provides permits for a range of fisheries, including Esthwaite Water, one of the finest trout fisheries in the Lake District. The permits are arranged with the Esthwaite Water Trout and Pike Fishery and the Windermere and Ambleside District Angling Association.

Hawkshead Trout Farm � the largest stocked lake in the north west region � offers fishing by boat or from the shore to beginners, intermediate and experts, with tuition available.

Lorton Vale Fishing at High Lorton, Cockermouth, in the northern Lakes provides a fly fishing experience on ponds stocked with rainbow trout, while over in eastern Cumbria, novices can learn fly fishing skills from top expert Glyn Freeman. Glyn has fished in Cumbria and the Borders for more than 20 years. He is based on the River Eden, where he is a well-known river keeper.

Pony trekking

A simple search on the Internet is all you need to find out there are dozens of locations in Cumbria, north Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales where pony trekking can be enjoyed.

Trekking centres usually cater for total beginners as well as experienced riders and the owners are generally skilled at selecting a horse or pony to suit everyone, preferably with well-mannered, safe and willing temperaments. In the fells, trekking centres often use native pony breeds because they are used to the rugged terrain and the local weather conditions.

Rides generally are along bridleways and quiet country lanes, across open fells, through forests and you can even get beach rides where there are trekking centres at the coast, such as at Silecroft, Millom.

Treks are usually led by qualified, friendly escorts with approved riding hats and riding boots often provided free of charge.

Mountain biking

Cumbria has the ideal terrain for mountain biking enthusiasts. Indeed, the Lake District has been voted the number one biking destination in the UK by readers of What Mountain Bike magazine. There are also a number of long-distance cycle routes which start or finish in Cumbria, such as the famous C2C (sea to sea) or the W2W (Walney to Wear). For those cyclists seeking something less demanding there is always the Eden Valley Circular Cycle Route.

Off roading and quad trekking

More companies than ever are offering off road vehicle experiences. Although an increasing number of families have 4 x 4s for the school run, there are actually very few opportunities in normal motoring circumstances when you can actually test the real capabilities of these vehicles. In the Lakes and the Dales, you can do this while at the same time enjoying the splendid scenic backdrop.

Quad trekking puts quad bikes, the farmer's best friend, to the test in much the same way, except that you are more exposed to the elements.

Both activities are popular with stag and hen party organisers.

Sailing and canoeing

With so many lakes and fast-flowing rivers to choose from, it is not surprising that watersports have always been a great draw for visitors to Cumbria.

Boats are available for hire on Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere.

A controversial speed limit applies to Windermere, which has affected motor boating and water skiing.

Experienced kayak exponents can find handy white water guides in and around the Lake District by carrying out a simple internet search using key phrases such as �river kayaking in Cumbria�.

Novices who want to try their hands at less-demanding lake kayaking or even fancy having a go at sailing can get expert tuition from specialist companies operating in the Lakes. Platty + Ltd, for example, provides tuition and boat hire from Lodore Boat Landings on Derwentwater, while Low Wood Watersports Centre offers a range of water sport activities on Windermere.

Walking

The 54-mile (87km) Allerdale Ramble starts at Seathwaite in the central Lakes and shares the same route as the Cumbria Way from Seatoller to near Keswick. From there the walker can choose alternative high- and low-level options in the area of Skiddaw. The walk carries on to the coast on the Solway Firth, joining the Cumbria Coastal Way as far as Grune Point.

A relatively short and easy walk is the Cistercian Way , which links Grange-over-Sands to Roa Island. The 33-mile (53km) route goes around the low hills and sands of the Furness and Cartmel peninsulas. It connects with Discover Barrow On Foot, the Cumbria Way, Cumbria Coastal Way and the Haematite Trail.

A challenging route devised in 1973 by Alfred Wainwright to link the Irish Sea and the North Sea, the Coast to Coast Walk takes in hills, moors and valleys of northern England. The 190-mile (304km) route crosses three national parks: the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors and links St Bees in the west with Robin Hood's Bay in the east. It is a scenic, high-level hike incorporating some demanding upland stretches. Only two towns of any real size are encountered � Kirkby Stephen and Richmond. As a consequence of the walk's popularity, footpaths along the route have suffered from erosion

The Cumbria Coastal Way is a 150-mile (240km) walk along the Cumbria coast from Silverdale on the Lancashire boundary to the Scottish border town of Gretna. The route, established by Cumbria County Council in the late 1980s, takes in the county's southern peninsulas, the western reaches of the Lake District National Park and the industrial heritage of the west coast before heading right up to the Scottish border via the Solway Firth and the historic city of Carlisle. It will eventually form part of the lengthy North West Coastal Trail from Chester to the Scottish border.

A popular walk which traverses the heart of the Lake District is the Cumbria Way , which was devised by local members of the Ramblers' Association in the 1970s. It links Ulverston and Carlisle via Langdale, Borrowdale, Coniston, Derwent Water and Caldbeck. The 70-mile (112km) route is mainly through Lakeland valleys, but for the more energetic walker there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy high-level detours.

A ideal route for hikers looking for a beautiful but undemanding walk is the Dales Way , which takes in some of England's most popular upland scenery. The 128-mile (205km) walk links Yorkshire Dales and Lake District national parks and incorporates a great deal of riverside walking. It begins at Leeds and goes on via Shipley (or alternatively Harrogate) to Bowness. The route was first proposed in the 1960s but wasn't opened until 1980.

Discover Barrow On Foot is the collective name for a series of five short routes promoted by the Dock Museum at Barrow. The walks, which explore the town and the unique local coastline, can be easily reached by public transport with buses connecting to Barrow rail station. The walks are:

Channelside Walk Dock Museum to Slagbank (60 mins)
Coast to Coast Walk Rampside to Sandscale (half a day)
Heart of Barrow Walk Dock Museum to Duke Hotel (60 mins)
St George's Walk Circular from Barrow Town Hall via St George's Church and Mount Pleasant (60 mins)
Walney Walk Circular from Biggar Bank Roundhouse via Jubilee Bridge and North Scale; 4 miles (6.5km) or 7 miles (11km).

The Settle-Carlisle railway line is a rough guide to the route of the Eden Way , a 78-mile (126km) un-waymarked walk from Rockliffe Marsh to Black Fell Moss.

A circular walk linking traditional Lakeland pubs is the Inn Way to the English Lake District , a 90-mile (144km) trek taking in Ambleside, Boot and Broughton-in-Furness.

A circular walk with a non-alcoholic theme is Isaac's Tea Trail , which begins and ends in Ninebanks and takes in Allendale, Nenthead and Alston. The 36-mile (58km) route, opened in 2002, follows picturesque river valleys and heather moorlands. It is named after Isaac Holden, a 19 th century tea seller and philanthropist. Examples of his legacy of �good public works� can be observed on the walk.

The 13-mile (21km) Limestone Link from Arnside to Kirkby Lonsdale is a journey through the limestone country of south Cumbria.

An easy lowland walk from Lancaster to Kirkby Lonsdale is known as the Lune Valley Ramble . The route, which takes in trailside sculptures, is 17 miles (27km) long.

The Haematite Trail is an 18-mile (29km) signed route exploring the iron mining heritage of the Furness peninsula. The walk connects with Discover Barrow On Foot, the Cistercian Way and Cumbria Coastal Way.

At 268 miles (429km) long, the Pennine Way , is one of Britain's best-known and toughest long-distance routes. The footpath follows the backbone of England from the Peak District to the Scottish borders, through the western Yorkshire Dales. It was designated Britain's first official long-distance footpath in 1951 but not opened until 1965.

The Pennine Bridleway National Trail is described as �a new multi-user route for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders�. The route connects Derbyshire with the gritstone moors of Cumbria, near Kirkby Stephen, and runs roughly parallel to the Pennine Way, although mostly on lower paths to the west. The route is 350 miles (560km) long.

A 71-mile (114km) walk along one of the North West's major rivers is the Ribble Way. The route follows the river's source above the Ribblehead Viaduct at Cam Fell in the Yorkshire Dales to where it enters the Irish Sea at Longton in Lancashire. It was originally proposed in the 1970s but not opened until 1985.