A FESTIVE stroll is as traditional as the season itself. Those who have left their workplaces behind for a few days' holiday find they suddenly have time for a relaxing stroll with their families.

Walking not only gets you out into the fresh air, it encourages you to take time out from the stress of festive preparations and entertaining. It also gives you a change of scenery and it is one of the rare activities you can actually do for free!

From now until January 4 ramblers groups will be leading hundreds of free walks during the annual Festival of Winter Walks.

Whether you fancy a festive stroll with the family or wish to stride out on a more challenging ramble, exploring the county's dramatic coastlines and panoramic landscapes, there is something for everyone.

Here are just some of the festive strolls on offer to help you work off the stresses and excesses.

If you fancy a short stride out, the organisers of Champions Show the Way - a walking for health scheme - is running a series of 30-minute and hour-long strides around Wibsey, Bingley and Shipley.

For those wanting to take a step back into the past at your own leisure there are a series of historic walks too around Bronte country and Saltaire.

Follow in the footsteps of the Bronte siblings along moorland paths and beside the Bronte waterfall in a three-hour moderate six mile walk from St Michael's Church, Main Street, Haworth.

Or why not try a leisurely 7.9 mile circular walk around Shipley Glen and 5 Rise Locks? Lasting three hours and 30 minutes, the walk takes in the sights of the World Heritage site, Saltaire, open farmland and urban woodland returning along the River Aire.

Explore the Goit Stock Valley in an 8.1 mile moderate walk through farmland and woodland. Myrtle Park, Bingley is the starting point for the four-hour walk.

For those wanting to savour the sights further afield, then you could try these routes where breath-taking scenery and rolling landscape is guaranteed.

Another walk to blow away the cobwebs is a 10-mile flat and easy walk around the Womersley and Smeaton villages. The nearest postcode is DN6 9DG.

The New Year's Day Hangover Walk was a five-mile winter walk around Wentworth Village and Follies, setting off from Wentworth Car Park.

Tomorow there's a chance to stride out into the New Year with the Ryedale Ramblers who are hosting a walk in the North York Moors. The nine mile walk sets off from Welburn layby, Kirkbymoorside at 10am.

And for those seeking to step out on their own here are some routes you may want to try: Upper Wharfe Valley, North Yorkshire, 7.6 miles; A leisurely walk taking three hours and 30 minutes setting off from Buckden car park and taking in views of the Yorkshire Dales at Buckden, Upper Wharfedale, waterfalls and picturesque landscape associated with the Dales.

Brimham Rocks offers the perfect place to stride forth and savour the stunning scenery. Starting at Nidd Bridge, Pateley Bridge, this 9.3 mile walk takes four hours and 45 minutes passing the interesting rock formations, along the river, southeast from Pateley Bridge and via a lovely waterside path. The final leg of the walk follows Pateley's Panorama walk, offering stunning wintry vistas.

There's also a To Hightown and Back walk tomorrow, meeting at Bethel Street car park, Brighouse (on the canal side) at 10am. The walk is said to last 10.5 miles.

Get those walking boots on and stride out to appreciate all the district has to offer this winter!

For more information about the Festival of Winter Walks and to see what festive walks or routes are on offer, visit ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks.