Three years of Park and Striding and only now am I bringing listeners onto the doorstep of a particular passion of mine, Hadrian's Wall. Mind you with daylight hours at a premium and conditions underfoot continuing the soggy pattern of the year past, I am keeping well away from sensitive archaeology, at least in the context of the main prescribed walk.

Today's gently undulating 'in the vale' expedition follows one of the East Cumbria Countryside Project's carefully crafted 'Discover Eden' Walks, the route is consistently way-marked and affirmed by their delightful colourful flying kingfisher logo.

My move to Cumbria nearly eight years ago from lowland West Oxfordshire was the fulfilment of a long held resolve not merely to wander the high fells, but because I held a passion and admiration for the greater countryside of Cumbria. From an early age the first books I really had contact with were the nature stories of Romany and Raq. Hence it comes as no surprise that a walk in Romany Country holds a rich treasury of magic moments in Long Meg's erratic Daughters any season.

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.