The Malham path. Photo: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Walkers on the Pennine Way will have to contend with a little less road walking after a national park created a new section of footpath.

The 120m path out of Malham leads towards the Cove, the 80m (265ft) limestone crag north of the village. Walkers in Wharfedale will also have a safer passage with the opening of a new footpath near Kettlewell.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority staff and volunteers built the Malham path, with funding from Natural England. The intention is that the route will become part of the Pennine Way.

Catriona Kilner, the authority’s area ranger for Malhamdale and lower Ribblesdale, said: “This new section of footpath will improve the popular walk to Malham Cove from the village.

“It is one of the busiest footpaths in the national park and creating this link allows visitors to avoid a narrow section of country lane.

“Staff from both the YDNPA and the National Trust have worked together to create this new footpath and we hope people will find it makes they visit even more enjoyable.”

The Kettlewell footpath leads out of the village and connects with the popular route to Hawkswick. Previously, walkers have had to use a narrow section of the busy B6160 to walk the route.

The new, signposted path starts at Kettlewell New Bridge and passes through a short, wooded section and then over Open Access land to join the existing footpath about 400m south of Kettlewell.

Iain Mann, the YDNPA’s upper Wharfedale area ranger said: “I think this new route will be really beneficial for walkers in the Kettlewell area. The footpath over to Hawkswick is hugely popular, and rightly so given the wonderful views you get.

“I would like to thank the woodland owner for allowing a permissive footpath to be created through his woodland, and also the Kettlewell Trust Lords for their help in making this route available.”

Both routes have been completed in time for Easter.