AN ‘ale trail’ exploring the rich history of brewing in the area will be a highlight of this year’s annual Rosedale Walking Festival.

Now in its sixth year, the festival, in the heart of the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, will take place on Saturday, 23 and Sunday, June 24.

The Ale Trail, which will take place on the Saturday, will be led by Dave Oakey, landlord of the Coach House Inn, one of the two pubs currently open in Rosedale. Dave promises lively tales of the history of the Dale through its beer barrels and bar taps.

“We’ll hear about how the smugglers from Robin Hood’s Bay would bring lace from Belgium to the pubs in Rosedale, where it would be bought to be sold on in society shops in York,” he said.

“And of the old lady in the 1890s who brewed beer in a not-strictly-legal fashion for her guesthouse, which was popular with miners – she ended up in court, but got off on what we’d now probably call entrapment.”

Festival participants can also choose from a selection of other walks over the weekend, including following in the footsteps of ancient traders and monks, a meander round the local teashops, and a wildlife walk.

Four of the walks are free (with a collection taken on completion of the walk for festival funds).

The teashop walk costs £15 (which includes refreshments and lunch at various tea rooms along the route); A Walk in the Land of Iron, Steam and Silence costs £4; the Nordic Walking event is £5 (which includes pole hire). Children take part for free. Advance booking is advisable.

The weekend’s walks are:

Saturday June 23

Teashop Walk: A seven-mile easy-to-moderate walk with two gentle climbs from the valley bottom – and visiting three teashops en route. Starts 10am on the village green, returning approximately 5pm.

Ale Trail: A five-mile walk exploring Rosedale’s rich heritage via the locations of old beer houses, brewing sites and inns, with tales of murder, ghosts, illicit trade and smuggling – and ending at the village’s two pubs for refreshments. Meet 12.30pm at the White Horse Farm Inn for a 1pm departure.

Exploring Rosedale’s wildlife habitats: Led by Rosedale’s Updale Natural History Recorder, this walk will go through the valley to Thorgill and up onto the moor recording wildlife encountered. Meet at 10pm on the village green; return approximately 4pm.

Sunday June 24

A Walk in the Land of Iron, Steam and Silence: Led by Rosedale History Society and featuring seldom-seen archive photographs and press reports. Meet at 1.30pm at the village green; returns around 6pm.

In Search of Andy Goldsworthy: A five-mile ramble to view two installations by the internationally-renowned environmental artist. Leaving from the Milburn Arms around 10.45am, the walk will take four to five hours.

Nordic Walking: An informal and fun session led by trained Nordic walking instructor Jill Allen for those new to the technique – meet at Chimney Bank car park at 9.45am.

Discover an ancient pannier track/monk trod: a gentle, circular two-hour walk, beginning and ending at the Millennium Stone car park on the Castleton road at the Fryupdale turn-off. Meet at 10am.

Walkers can turn up on the day, but numbers are limited. To book tickets call 01751 417505 or email walkrosedale@outlook.com

For further information, call Kate Gillies on 01751 471550 or visit: www.rosedaleabbey.com/walking-festival.html