WALKS are being held across the region with the aim of boosting workplace wellbeing and networking.

The Freshwalks organisation is staging a series of summer walks for the business community in West Yorkshire.

Its programme includes a 13-kilometre walk, starting from Haworth, on July 23.

The route will take in Bronte waterfalls, Lower Laithe Reservoir and a section of the Pennine Way.

The walks are being held in conjunction with Huddersfield-based outdoors specialist, Tink Adventures.

Freshwalks says the new programme is designed to build on the success of the initiative in other regions where it already operates.

When the organisation was founded in 2014 by Michael Di Paola, it initially focused on the business community in the north west of England.

But now Freshwalks has run nearly 300 events, together involving almost 4,000 walkers, across the UK.

Participants are drawn from all sectors of business and from every level within organisations.

This region’s walks are being led by Emily Thompson, co-founder of Tink Adventures.

They are taking place in full compliance with Covid guidelines.

Mr Di Paola said: “We’ve already welcomed a number of attendees from businesses in Yorkshire and the demand for our format was clear, making the region the obvious location for expansion.

“I know I don’t need to tell the people who live in the county about how special the landscapes and walking opportunities are – they speak for themselves.

“But I hope many will join us to enjoy these walks in a different context and meet like-minded businesses.”

Since its foundation, Freshwalks has led walks at a range of locations in Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Derbyshire, South Wales and Yorkshire, as well as overnight tours to the Lake District and the Mourne Mountains – plus city walks in Manchester and Liverpool.

Mr Di Paola added: “There are a number of things that make the Freshwalks experience unique, including the level of preparation and planning that goes into each event and the thought that goes into the selection of post-walk pubs – Covid-permitting!

“But the biggest thing that makes us special is the way participants interact with each other.

“We have developed a strong community of like-minded people who help and support each other, both out on the hills and – wherever possible – in business.

“We also have a number of corporate partners who provide spaces on our walks to their employees to support wellbeing and development.

“I look forward to extending this experience to the business community in West Yorkshire and to bringing them together with their peers from all regions of the north, creating the conditions for new collaborations while discovering more of the fantastic countryside that we are all lucky enough to be surrounded by.

“Routes range from gentle parkland rambles to full-day hikes taking in multiple peaks, providing the opportunity for walkers of all abilities to experience the wellbeing and business benefits that come from networking with like-minded individuals in inspiring surroundings.

“We also lead popular guided lunchtime city walks.

“The great majority of routes can easily be accessed by public transport.”

The Haworth walk will be followed by an event around the Harewood estate on August 20, also taking in part of the Leeds Country Way and the banks of the River Wharfe.

For further information about Freshwalks and its summer programme – and details of how to obtain tickets – visit freshwalks.co.uk.