THIS is a good, long ride of about three hours, taking in a splendid section of the Pennine Way, across large amounts of grass.

The vast majority of it is along bridle paths or quiet country roads, apart from a small section of the A65, where the nervous may want to dismount.

All are public rights of way, so can also be used by cyclists, or walkers. Part of it is along green lane, Mark House Lane, which is very stony and rutted along most its route, but don't be put off. The section through fields and particularly along the Pennine Way is superb - which will be loved equally by rider and mount.

I've started from East Marton, as that is where I always start my rides, but it could easily be started at several other points along the route where a suitable place to park a trailer could be found.

Step to step

1 Set off from Wilkinson's Farm Livery, East Marton, and continue along the bridlepath for about a mile-and-a-half, winding along with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on the left, and fields on the right, passing Newton Grange 'rural retreat'. Cross over the canal bridge and continue along the road, which is now tarmac, pass Dodgson's Farm to the road.

2 Cross over and join the road, signposted Ingber, pass Newton Hall, a splendid, yellow painted country house, on the left. Pass through the horse friendly gate and continue along the road, passing farm buildings on the left. Watch out for the barky dog in its cage. Continue, and follow the track as it leaves the road and crosses grass to a five-bar gate - not the one next to the cattle-grid. Look out for buzzards here - they are often about.

3 Go through the gate and cross over the middle of field, which can have sheep or cattle in it, so beware. Pass through another gate at the far end of the field and cross over another field, again often with sheep in it. Through the gate and into a wooded area with a small stream running through it, and some interesting ruins,although not quite of Roman origin.

4 You will shortly come to another gate, this one has a hunt jump next to it - for the more adventurous. Go through the gate - or over the jump - and follow the track up the nice, grassy hill, passing an old concrete water tank on the right and to yet another gate, which has a useful water trough on its left. You'll be within sight of David Coates' Craven Country Ride here, and there are often riders to be seen in the distance.

5 Go through the gate and follow the track, which drops down to Moorber Lane, with the entrance to Craven Country Ride towards the left. Go through the gate and turn right, along Moorber Lane.

6 Continue along Moorber Lane for about half a mile to the junction with the A65. Turn right here. There is a wide pavement on the right which is possible to be ridden along, or dismount and walk the short distance to the junction of the road off to the left, signposted Bell Busk. Cross over, and follow the road for about a mile, passing the Richard Tottie Memorial Hall on the right, and St Peter's Church, Coniston Cold, on the left. Pass under the railway bridge and you'll come to a junction of three roads. Take the one to the right, and cross over a river bridge onto Mark House Lane.

7 Continue along Mark House Lane for a short distance, passing some houses, and turn left along the drive towards a house signposted 'The Thack (Coniston Estate)'. Continue along the track in between the house and stables, and pass through a wooden gate - not the metal gate to the right. Follow the track down, passing close to the river and follow along, keeping the wall to your right and pass through another gate into a field, with a lovely, gradually climbing hill up to another gate.

8 Pass through the gate onto the moorland and proceed along a track, keeping the wall to your right. Pass through the second gap in the wall and cross the moorland to a gate in the far wall. Pass through the gate where you will see a three-fingered sign post. Bear right here, and continue along the Pennine Way to a double gate. Pass through the gates and into the field, with a long, gradual ascent to the top and the gate in the corner, on the right of the field.

9 Go through the gate and follow the track along the top left of the field, keeping closely to the wall. Continue along and after you have passed a hunt fence in the wall, continue a short distance and turn sharply to the right, off the Pennine Way footpath, and down through the field. You are heading for a small clump of trees where the bridlepath passes through a horse friendly gate and back onto Mark House Lane.

10. Turn left here, and continue along the very bumpy lane for some distance until it turns into a made up road and passes a house on the right. Follow the road as it bears to the left, passing an estate of new houses on the right and the redeveloped Gargrave House. Continue to the road junction and bear right into Gargrave, crossing over the canal bridge and to another road junction, with a car park on the left. Bear right and continue to the junction of the A65, with the Dalesman Cafe on the right. Be wary of the over-sized rabbit outside the cafe, carrying a basket - I have ridden a horse that utterly refused to pass it.

11 Cross over the A65 - with care - and go over the river bridge, turn right at the Mason's Arms Pub and continue along the road for about a mile, going under a railway bridge, crossing a canal bridge, and following the road, with the canal on your left. Keep going until you come to a cross roads, and turn left, back towards East Marton and the starting point.

Remember:

You are passing through farmers' fields, always leave gates as you find them and be respectful of stock and ground conditions., stick to the path.

Consider wearing a high-visibility jacket, particularly as you will be on roads for part of the route.