This third Ride & Stride expedition from The Lakeland Pathfinder/555 bus service puts a focus on Ambleside's glorious situation between the fells and two lovely lakes, one large, one petite. The view from Todd Crag will put a smile on your face, well displayed is the Fairfield Horseshoe to the north above Rydal Hall.

This second Ride & Stride expedition is a significant departure from the established pattern of Park & Stride. Being basically a low-level excursion concentrating on the relationship of dale and lake, though the latter is strictly a reservoir.

This season The Stagecoach Bus company has brought three new liveried buses into service on the 555 run from Windermere to Keswick. Each dressed up to proclaim one of three notable people whose contribution to the life and culture of Lakeland is immeasurable - Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and Alfred Wainwright. Supported by Cumbria Tourism, The Lakeland Pathfinder (the Wainwright bus) carries an image of the great man on the back, studiously scribing with his crow quill pen. Adjacent are adverts for Kendal Museum, home of the Wainwright exhibition; a motif recording that this year marks an important milestone, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Mountain Rescue Service in Lakeland; as well as a mention of this radio feature, as henceforward this year all the Park & Stride walks will start and finish from given bus stops on the journey of this notable flagship service through the heart of the National Park - thus it might be more appropriate to call it Ride & Stride.

Locked away in the furthest fold of the Far Eastern Fells Longsleddale embodies all the intrinsic magic of Lakeland and marks its beginning and end. This walk climbs off the Stile End pass onto the rocky spine of Shipman Knotts, visiting the crest of Goat Scar en route to Kentmere Pike to culminate on Harter Fell, with its commanding view over Haweswater. Running easily down to Gatescarth Pass, it follows the ancient drove-way, later quarry track, down into the impressively wild upper quarter of Longsleddale. The valley-name is geographically expressive, though actually derives from the traditional 'sled' (pony-drawn sledge) used to haul peat for winter fuel from the fell-top mires, and had a longer frame than commonly found elsewhere in the district.

Ruskin said that mountains were the beginning and end of all natural scenery. Wainwright considered the Jaws of Borrowdale to be the most beautiful square mile in Lakeland. From this one must deduce that the environs of Grange-in-Borrowdale are indeed England's finest scenic moment. This walk sets out to discover something of this genius loci, to savour the rich mix of native woodland amid a glorious tangle of rugged hills.

By contrast with the normal line of ascent, this walk tackles Blencathra on a more gradual course via Bowscale Fell encircling the headwaters of the Glenderamakin to conclude over Souther Fell (pronounced 'sooter'). The walk is almost entirely on grass, but can include a slice of real mountaineering for the confident hill-goer. If the weather is dry and the wind relents then a scrambling descent of Sharp Edge can be entertained. By a strange quirk of circumstances on the two occasions the author has tackled this famous arete, it was in descent, so can vouch it is little more difficult than the ascent, but it requires a steady head and competence on exposed rock, so most definitely should not be undertaken lightly.

Most fellwalkers leave Glenridding with their minds filled with the anticipation of Helvellyn, but today’s expedition turns face on the ancient Sticks Pass to traverse Stybarrow Dodd, backtracking via the handsome rocky summit of Sheffield Pike. At 2,420ft Sticks Pass, for all its simplicity, is the highest historic foot pass in the Lake District.

Crinkle Crags are, or is that is, a classic Lakeland ridge walk that fully lives up to the expectations its exciting eastern aspect suggests. Undertaken in conjunction with the highly individual peak of Pike o’Blisco one has the ingredients for a thoroughly rewarding day on the fell. Keen fell-walkers will eagerly mop up Cold Pike and the way round, they might include Little Stand, though if energies are up they will be more inclined to bolster their mountain day with the mighty scalp of Bowfell. The tour concentrates on Oxendale and bring Hell Gill and Whorneyside Force into the equation.

Quite the majority of walkers attack Scafell Pike on long there-and-back treks from Borrowdale, Great Langdale and even Eskdale. However, the Scafells belong to Wasdale, a natural harmony revealed on this compact round trip. From Wastwater Great Gable and Scafell command attention, from Wasdale Head all eyes rest upon Great Gable; rough, tough and aloof, Scafell Pike resists valley admiration, and has to be climbed to know - Great Gable may be standing by, but this is the Roof of England. The walk follows Lingmell Beck and the old pony route to Sty Head Pass and quickly steps onto The Band mounting impressively up the north ridge of Great End. The broad stony plateau leads to Broadcrag col and the messy final pull to the top of the Pike. Descending north-west via Lingmell col to claim arguably the day’s best moment, the view of Great Gable from Lingmell.

The walk takes fullest advantage of Lingmoor’s remarkable position showing off the contrasting dale-heads; Great Langdale dominated by the Pikes, Bowfell and the Crinkles and its junior namesake focused on Little Langdale Tarn and no less grandly rimmed with fine fells. The route climbs onto the spine of the north-westerly trending ridge crossing the 470m/1,542ft summit before heading down via the fat man’s agony access to Side Pike. Swinging round the beautiful bowl of Blea Tarn to reach and follow the Wrynose Pass road down by Fell Foot and Bridge End to pass under the slate quarries by Low Hall Garth and cross the utterly delectable Slater Bridge.