Walkers from across Britain are invited to a packed weekend of guided rambles across the moor and strolls in the surrounding beautiful countryside above the Aire Valley.

After the wonder of two wheels with the Tour de France, The Walking Weekend is aimed at luring thousands of folk into the great outdoors.

The special free event has been arranged by Baildon's Walkers are Welcome group which is part of Baildon Town Council.

The walking group is part of a national scheme to encourage fitness and also boost tourism in selected towns and villages

Chris Flecknoe, chairman of Baildon Town Council, who also acts as Secretary to the Walkers are Welcome Group, said: “We hope that many people will take this opportunity to join with others in walking through the lovely countryside around Baildon and to learn a little about the history and geography of this area.”

On Friday, July 18, Malcolm Leyland will lead an easy to medium walk entitled ‘Baildon Moor Heritage Trail’ of around 2.5 miles and lasting a couple of hours, starting from the Eaves car park on Hawksworth Road.

This walk will introduce participants to recent and ancient features on Baildon Moor, including WW1 and WW2, coal and fireclay mining, and the Bronze Age.

Saturday, July 19 sees a choice of four guided walks. The first two set off at 10am.

The ‘Tour de Baildon and a Taste of Salt’ is the longest walk available, being 8/9 miles.

Those taking part should bring a packed lunch and meet Chris Flecknoe at the Community Garden on Hall Cliffe at 10am.

The route will include Ferniehurst Dell, passing Baildon’s urban farm, sculpture trail along River Aire to Saltaire, Milner Field, Shipley Glen, and returning over Hope Hill.

Setting out at the same time, Mike de Villiers will lead a gentle ‘Fair Trade Link Walk’ of five miles.

This will begin from the Potted Meat Stick and cross good moorland paths to Burley to link up these two Fair Trade Towns.

The walkers will take a drink and lunch stop at Bleach Mill cafe. Dogs may be taken on this walk but must be on a lead. The return journey will be by train from Burley station.

At 10.30am Helen Broadhead of Helen's Heritage Walks will offer a walk called ‘Church 'n' Chapel in Baildon’.

Walkers should meet Helen at the bus terminal in the centre of Baildon for a walk around Baildon and Baildon Green to learn more about the old churches and chapels. This walk is two miles long. Dogs are welcome on leads.

Later on that Saturday, ‘The Lost Hamlets of Baildon’ walk will set out at 2pm, led by Mike Lawson and starting from the Eaves car park on Hawksworth Road. The walk of around three miles will take in Moorside, Low Hill and Sconce with interesting information being provided about social and industrial history and geology.

Also setting out at 2pm will be the ‘Family Fun Stroll’. This walk of around 1.5 miles is an easy walks aimed especially for families with young children. The walk with a quiz for primary school age children. The route is pushchair-accessible and should take around 1.5 hours including playground stops.

Those wishing to join this walk should meet Mervyn Flecknoe by the Potted Meat Stick.

On Sunday, July 20 at 10.45am Eddie Nash will welcome walkers to join him ‘In Darwin’s Footsteps’.

This is a six-mile walk. Bring a packed lunch.

All walks are free.

For further information, go to http://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/walking.php or contact the Town Clerk at 01274 593168 or email clerk@baildontowncouncil.gov.uk.