LATER this year will see the 70th anniversary of when the Yorkshire Dales was designated as a national park. Lesley Tate takes a look at what is included.

IN order to mark the 70th  anniversary, on November 16, guardians of the park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, has come up with its list of '70 essentials'.

Whether a walk, or place to visit, the essentials says the park authority, are what it thinks "any resident or visitor should experience."

It includes: "Ionic locations and walks, activities, ways to connect with nature, and stories to be heard."

Of the essential walks in the Craven Dales, included are Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, as well as the 'Malham Circuit, which includes Janet's Foss and Gordale Scar, and Ingleton Waterfalls.

Of the 13 essential locations to visit in the Dales, Craven has Ribblehead Viaduct, and Hardraw Force, where Robin Hood played by Kevin Costner in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, was seen having an open air bath.

Other essential locations are the Bolton Abbey estate, Kettlewell and Grassington.

Of the 17 essential experiences, the national park authority puts forward agricultural shows, such as last week's premier show of the Dales, Kilnsey.

It also lists Grassington Lead Mining Trail, which weaves its way through the 400-year old workings on Grassington Moor; and the Hoffman Kiln at Langcliffe. Built in 1873, it is the best preserved in England; is a scheduled monument, and features a trail around the site.

The limestone pavement at Malham Cove, was also used as a film setting - in Harry Potter the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. A climb to the top of the cove to the pavement presents one of the best views in the national park.

Salmon leaping at Stainforth Foss, an annual event that takes place in the autumn, is also an essential; and the Dark Skies Festival, which takes place each February.

And, for the brave, the twice a year Gaping Gill winch meets, which take place in May and in August, and which give people a chance to explore one of the largest underground chambers in Britain.

Of the 13 essential nature must sees are included the curlew. Described as 'the soundtrack to spring in the Dales', the curlew are ground nesters that return to their upland breeding sites from late February.

Then, of course the truly iconic drystone walls - shaped over thousands of years by people and nature; and the Settle-Carlisle Railway. Arguably the 'most scenic railway journey in England, the line opened in 1876. It is 72 miles long, has 14 tunnels and 20 viaducts, including Ribblehead.

The Grass Wood nature reserve at Grassington is both an ancient woodland and one of the largest broadleaf woodlands in the Dales. It is famous for its cacophonous dawn chorus in spring.

There are also species rich hay meadows; the meadows around Muker and Yockenthwaite are a must-see around May and June when the landscape 'becomes alive with colour".

Another great spot for nature is Oxenber and Wharfe woods near Feizor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a cafe and bird of prey experience nearby.

Essential walks: Beacon Hill and Gamelands – An excellent introduction to the Westmorland Dales, including the Beacon monument, Great Asby common, and Gamelands stone circle.

Smardale Gill – A lovely gentle walk from Newbiggin-on-Lune using a section of the old railway line which crosses the spectacular Smardale Gill viaduct.

Sedbergh – A short easy access walk from the town of Sedbergh along the River Rawthey.

Cotter Force – A short, accessible ‘miles without stiles’ walk to the impressive Cotter Force waterfall in Cotterdale, Upper Wensleydale.

Penyghent – A circular route beginning in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, climbing gently up Brackenbottom Scar, and following the Pennine Way to the summit.

Whernside – Starting from the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, a seven-mile circular route taking you to one of the highest points in Yorkshire.

Ingleborough – A walk from Chapel-le-dale through Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s dramatic Southerscales nature reserve – one of the best-preserved limestone pavements in the country – on route to the dramatic peak.

Malham Circuit – This iconic walk, encompassing Gordale Scar, Janet’s Foss and Malham Cove, includes a beautiful village, wild rivers, and awe-inspiring limestone formations.

Hawes circular– Taking in the town of Hawes, the village of Hardraw – home of the famous single-drop waterfall – and the hamlets of Simonstone and Sedbusk. .

Ingleton Waterfalls – This trail boasts some of the most spectacular waterfalls and oak woodland scenery in the country, truly encapsulating nature at its best Muker to Keld – An iconic walk that takes in the famous Muker hay meadows – best in May and June, a stroll along the River Swale, and Kisdon Force.

Grimwith Reservoir – A great walk for watching water sports and enjoying stunning views of the adjacent moors, valley and lower Yorkshire Dales. Grimwith has an accessible ‘miles without stiles walk.

Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail – Another accessible ‘miles without stiles’ walk beginning in Clapham and winding through Clapdale Wood along Clapham Beck.

Buckden-Cray-Hubberholme – The highlight of this walk is the amazing view down Wharfedale – look out for orchids and northern brown argus butterflies.

National Trails – The Pennine Way and Pennine Bridleway National Trails run through the Dales, with sections of both easily accessible by public transport. The Coast-to-Coast path will soon also become a National Trail.

For more information about the Yorkshire Dales National Park essentials, including details about downloading walking apps, visit: https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk