This weeks route of the week is written by Anne Marcantonio from the British Horse Society. They have launched EMAGIN, the world’s first Equine Mapping and Geographical Information Network.

The possibilities available to visitors through the website are many, with users able to quickly and easily locate an excellent range of safe off road riding routes and services, such as BHS approved livery yards, B&B for horses, registered instructors, clothing, horse equipment, farriers and equestrian events.

Adverts are geographically positioned and users can search the directory for free by business category, business name, town, county, postcode or route allowing visitors to find everything equestrian both nationally and locally to them.  Visitors can also plan and locate a route that they would like to ride carriage drive, walk or cycle and then print it off, free of charge, on Ordnance Survey 1:25000 scale maps.

The BHS has been working hard to find long term solutions to ensure that the site is free for the public to use, inexpensive to advertise on and able to satisfy the digital needs of the visitor.

The Eden Valley Loops
The Eden Valley loops were launched on 24th June 2010 and showcase the beautiful scenery of the Lake District perfectly.  Close to the Scottish Borders and Yorkshire Dales, the routes encompass 135km (84 miles) of dramatic landscape around Ullswater and the North Pennies.  Whether you’re enjoying a holiday with your horse, bicycle or on foot, or live locally and just enjoy exploring, there is something for everyone on these excellent and diverse trails.
There are five routes in total which can be ridden singly or joined together.  They provide a key link to the Pennine Bridleway and are a welcome addition to The British Horse Society’s National Bridle route Network.

1. Eden Valley Loop 1 – Loadpot Hill is a16km (10 mile) circular probably  best completed clockwise for the views.
2. Eden Valley Loop 2 – River Lowther Valley is a 32 km (20 mile) circular.
3. Eden Valley Loop 3 – River Lyvennet Valley is a 32 km (20 mile) circular.
4. Eden Valley Loop 4 – Great Asby is a 29 km (18 mile) circular.
5. Eden Valley Loop 5 – Crosby Garrett is a 21 km (13 mile) circular.

Claude Duval
The Claude Duval Bridle route is an 80km (50 mile) route for riders, walkers and cyclists across the countryside of North Oxfordshire. It joins Swan’s Way at Quainton in the East to Sabrina Way at Great Barrington in the West.
Claude Duval 2 Bridle route is a continuation of the initial Claude Duval and runs from Great Barrington in the north, to Wayland’s Smithy in the south.  The Claude Duval 2 travels through approximately 40km (23 mile) of the West Oxfordshire countryside and joins both the Sabrina Way and the Claude Duval Bridle route to the Ridgeway.
The routes are named after a well know local highwayman, Claude Duval who preferred to keep out of the villages – and his route does just that, with the occasional main road crossing.
Highwaymen were common place during the 17th and 18th centuries and were often no more than lowly criminals and thugs.  Claude Duval was different.  This French born highwayman was gallant and idolised by the ladies for his ‘Gallic charms’.  He had impeccable manners and would often flirt with the ladies while robbing their husbands.
Claude Duval was finally caught and hanged in 1670 and buried in Covent Garden.  His grave was inscribed with the following epitaph:  “Here lies Duval.  If male thou art look to your purse, if female to thy heart”

Bedfordshire on Horseback

Bedfordshire may surprise you!  Even though it is one of England’s smallest counties, it offers some great riding country – ranging from fabulous routes through the rolling chalk hills of the south to grassy headlands and arable fields in the north of the county.

We have used local knowledge to assemble 13 rides in some of the best riding areas covering 190km (117 mile) of the Bedfordshire countryside.  The rides vary between 8km (5 mile) and 21km (13 mile) in length, although many have options for short cuts, and some of the rides can be linked to make longer circuits.

The route descriptions include a few notes for cyclists – these are off road routes so are really only suitable for mountain bikers.

Wildlife

The magnificent red kite, a spectacular bird of prey distinguished by its russet red plumage and forked tail, may be spotted throughout the county.  In fact a ride in Bedfordshire will probably be a bird spotting experience. Soaring skylarks, flocks of lapwings, woodpeckers, wrens, even kingfishers can be seen, as well as the many game birds on the farmland.  Mammals you may spot include the diminutive munkjac deer, foxes, hares and plenty of rabbits!

1. Upper Dean and Yelden – 21km (13 mile) with an option to create two shorter rides of 8 and 9 miles and can be extended by using Keysoe and Riseley route.
2. Keysoe and Riseley – 18.5km (11.5 mile) with the option to shorten or extend by using the Upper Dean and Yelden route and also Keysoe and Bolnhurst.
3. Keysoe and Bolnhurst – 21km (13 mile) with options to shorten and can be extended by using Keysoe and Riseley route.
4. Clapham and Twinwood – 16km (10 mile) with the option to shorten.
5. Carlton - 10.5km (6.5 mile) with option to shorten to 4.5 miles.

View these and more routes in the East of England

Horse Riding in the Blackdown Hills
The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an unspoilt place, covering 360 sq km of land on the Devon and Somerset border.  A unique mosaic of ancient features, special habitats and distinctive villages make up this beautiful and relatively isolated landscape.  There are 5 scenic rides to choose from which can be ridden singularly or some can be linked together.

1. Blackdown Hills C1 – This scenic 22.5km (14 mile) circular ride boasts wonderful views and sea glimpses, with plenty of off-road riding through wooded valleys and long hill crests.  This ride encounters mixed terrain, several gradients and various styles of gates.  There are cantering opportunities at Goyle Acre Lane, Burridge Common and Brinscombe top.  Watch out for roe deer.
2. Blackdown Hills C2 – With two thirds “off road” this 14.5km (9 mile) circular route takes in miles of peaceful countryside, the picturesque village of Dalwood and the various aspects of the River Yarty.  There is an optional link at Horner Hill with steep gradients.  Cantering opportunity through Yarty Copse.
3. Blackdown Hills C3 – This 19km (12 mile) circular route is a relatively easy ride with few gates, using mainly green lanes and quiet roads which link the hamlets and farmsteads of the Corry and Yarty valleys.  This route also links up with C1 and C2 for greater route flexibility.
4. Blackdown Hills C4 – Wild and remote in parts, this 19km (12 mile) ride links some of the most picturesque villages in the Blackdown Hills.  Hartridge and Luppit commons provide a sharp contrast to the valley pastures.  There are magnificent views across the Otter tributaries.  Easy riding throughout but beware of traffic on Upottery-Rawridge Road.
5. Blackdown Hills C5 – At 32km (20 mile) this is by far the longest and probably the most varied route taking in the valleys of the Otter tributaries and the wooded escarpments of the region.  Relatively easy riding, with some magnificent lengths of bridleways to the west.  There are cantering opportunities especially between Knowles Wood and Blackbororough.  Keep strictly to the field edge through the gliding club.  There is an unavoidable 3 mile road section to the south.  Dunkewell Abbey at Ashill are worth a detour.

East and West Ilsley
An 8km (5 mile) way marked recreational route that joins the Ridgeway National Trail in Berkshire. The villages are renowned for race horse training. There are five stables here that are involved with this and the route follows alongside gallops for some of the way.
The Ridgeway (National Trail) has been called England’s oldest road.  Over the centuries, many different people have used the track as a thoroughfare for trade with the more remote parts of south-west England, and invading armies such as the Danes may have found it convenient for their forays against King Alfred in the 9th Century.  It wasn’t until the Enclosure Awards of the late 18th and 19th Centuries that the track was given a width.  In the parish of West Ilsley in 1828 the width was set as 68 feet, reflecting the track’s use as a Drive Way.

If you would like us to send you a free route pack email access@bhs.org.uk or telephone 02476 840581.

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