The North York Moors National Park Authority is offering a series of walks with a difference this August.

The walks range from a three mile ramble along the coast to hunt for fossils to an all-day, 12 mile adventure up hill and down dale.

The series kicks off with an atmospheric evening walk with Ranger Jay Marrison around the high moorland of Levisham Estate on Sunday 1 August 2010.

On Thursday 5 August, the attention turns to the hidden gems of Beck Dale and Ash Dale near Helmsley when Interpretation Officer Mark Lewis leads a 6.5 mile walk which includes a scenic stop for a picnic.

Fossil hunting is on the cards on Friday 13 August on a 3 mile walk with Coastal Officer John Beech between Staithes and Port Mulgrave and on Saturday 21 August, Ranger Matt Fitzgerald leads an all-day 12 mile walk to take in the spectacular views found on the high moors around The Moors National Park Centre in Danby.

The North York Moors has the largest expanse of heather moorland in England and Wales which covers around one third of the National Park.

Senior Ranger David Smith talks about the importance of the moorland on a 3.5 mile walk over Levisham Moor on Sunday 22 August.

Participants will also get to see birds of prey close up and find out more about the management work undertaken by the Levisham Moor Group of the British Falconers Club.

The final walk in the series takes place on Sunday 29 August when Voluntary Ranger Dave Perry looks at the archaeology and ancient rock art to be found in the Cleveland Hills on a five mile walk starting from Clay Bank.

Sally Ann Smith, the Authority’s Events and Exhibitions Coordinator, said:

“With the moors taking on their much-photographed purple flush, August is a great time to be out in the North York Moors. More than just a walk in the park, this series of guided rambles will offer an insight to some of the area’s hidden gems and the work being done to conserve them.”

Most of the walks cost £2.50 with no charge for children [the 12 mile moorland walk costs £3 per adult and £1.50 per child) and booking is advisable to guarantee a place. The booking line is 01439 772738.