Stepping Out From Leeds And Bradford, by Keith Wadd, Ramblers’ Association West Riding Area, £7.50

Now that the weather is improving, many of us feel the urge to head for the great outdoors.

A good walk always leaves you feeling invigorated – but sometimes it is difficult deciding where to go. And once you have hit upon a destination, planning a route, particularly when it’s off the beaten track, is not easy.

You can always use an Ordnance Survey map but, if you’re like me, having a set of clear, easy-to-follow instructions is by far the best option.

Stepping Out From Leeds And Bradford, available from bookshops and Tourist Information Centres, contains ‘20 good walks’ averaging around 11 miles in length, making them, as Harrogate-based author Keith Wadd says, ‘ideal for a whole day’s walk at a modest pace, with enough time to take a few breaks for refreshment and to enjoy the views and the many features of interest.’ Among them is a walk from central Bradford to Lister Park, Saltaire, Eldwick, Five Rise Locks and Crossflatts. ‘Bradford comes out of this walk well,’ writes Keith, ‘a city of handsome buildings close to the hills and moors.’ With fine views, the walk goes within a mile of the edge of Ilkley Moor.

Another, spectacular for views, takes in the Wharfedale settlements of Ilkley, Addingham and Nesfield. ‘A brilliant Pennine prospect of hills and dales gradually unfolds, culminating in a splendid view of Pendle Hill,’ writes Keith. ‘This path, for my money, is one of the best stretches of upland walking in Yorkshire.’ And a walk from Kildwick to Skipton Moor, then back by the well-known landmark Jubilee Tower, offers some good moorland walking. ‘Lots of people go to Skipton, but very few go to nearby Skipton Moor, and for serious walkers it’s well worth the effort,” writes Keith, who wrote the book for publishers The Ramblers’ Association.

This walk also includes a two-mile, curving, tree-lined stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, with many attractive views along the way.

All the walks are within an hour’s car journey from Bradford and are easy to reach by public transport, for which instructions are given. Each has a detailed description, a map and a colour photograph of a feature of interest.

Haworth features in one route ‘along paths that the Bronte tourists rarely visit’, although the return is via the tourist hotspot Bronte Bridge. ‘A delightful spot even though you will rarely be alone.’ Keith urges people from further afield to step out and get to know the area. ‘Leeds and Bradford are hard to beat for a walking holiday – brilliant walks on the doorstep and all the big city attractions and benefits as well.’ Keith has succeeded in creating, as he says, ‘walks of variety, interest and good views.’ He adds: ‘I hope that the twists and turns of the routes will provide many a pleasant surprise.’