Snaizeholme red squirrel trail

Location:

Snaizeholme red squirrel trail, Widdale, Wensleydale

Map:

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas.

Description:

The red squirrel is the only native species of squirrel in the country, but it is now under serious threat from the larger grey squirrel, introduced from North America in the late 1800s. Not only does the grey squirrel out-compete its red cousin for food, but it also carries the squirrel pox virus – greys are immune but it can be fatal to reds.

In order to protect the remaining red squirrel populations, 16 woodland areas in the north of England have been designated as Red Squirrel Reserve Woodlands. These are areas are where red squirrels have the best chance of long term survival.

The Snaizeholme red squirrel viewing area lies in the heart of the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve. Although coniferous woodland is ideal habitat for red squirrels, they can be difficult to see in such densely planted woodlands. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has been working with the local landowner, Hugh Kemp, to create a red squirrel viewing area for the public.

The viewpoint and surrounding woodland offer an excellent chance of getting superb views of red squirrels as they visit a feeder in a woodland clearing. With luck you may also see roe deer, along with a variety of woodland birds such as siskin, lesser redpoll and perhaps even a common crossbill.

Access and facilities:

The viewpoint can be reached by following the Snaizeholme red squirrel trail, a 9.5 mile (15km) self-guided linear walk, starting and finishing at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. You can follow the trail in two ways: you can either download the audio trail for MP3 player (see below) or hire an MP3 player with it pre-loaded at Hawes National Park Centre, or you can follow written route instructions and a map. The trail describes what you might see as you walk along and helps you learn more about squirrels and their habitats.

The route takes you over some moderate to difficult terrain, including rough pasture and unsurfaced footpaths, and is recommended for experienced walkers with map reading and compass skills – allow about six hours. Full walking equipment will be required, including strong footwear and water and weatherproof clothing.

If you don't want to follow the full trail, you can take advantage of the Little Red Bus service from the Dales Countryside Museum that will take you to Snaizeholme. From the drop-off point, it is a 2.5 mile circular walk to the red squirrel viewpoint. Alternatively, you could walk to Snaizeholme from Hawes along the red squirrel trail - approximately six miles one way - and then catch the bus back to Hawes. The bus runs on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer, you can download the timetable below:

• Download the red squirrel bus service timetable for Summer 2011.

Text file downloads:

Use the links below to download the written instructions, route information and map:

• Route instructions

• Map and notes

Follow the route using your GPS receiver

We have created GPX and Memory Map files of the route, downloadable below, so that you can follow the route using a GPS receiver.

• Red squirrel trail - GPX file

• Red squirrel trail - Memory Map file

Please note that GPS receivers should not be considered substitutes for a map and compass, but supplements to them. Like any electronic technology, they are not 100% fail proof: batteries may die, the microchip may fail, and satellites may not be in position. Always enure that you have a regular compass and map as a backup.

MP3 audio file downloads:

The ten links below will allow you to download the full MP3 audio trail in separate files. Copy them onto your MP3 player and listen to them in the order shown to follow the trail.

• 00 - Introduction

• 01 - Hawes

• 02 - Gayle Mill

• 03 - West Cam Road viewpoint

• 04 - Lower Widdale and Cattermole viewpoint

• 05 - Open Access land

• 06 - Snaizeholme valley side

• 07 - Valley bottom pasture

• 08 - Snaizeholme Estate

• 09 - Squirrel feeding area

If you would prefer to download one larger file of the whole trail, you can do so via our Audio trails RSS feed

A transcript of the audio presentation (laid out for reading online) is also available as an Adobe PDF file if you would rather read it than listen, as well as a printable version of the audio transcript to take with you on the walk.