I KNEW I was going to like this walk - shared with me by Alan Friswell of Silsden Strolls - when just five minutes in, I heard the familiar call of a buzzard, which is similar, but not as screechy as a red kite. Looking up, I counted six of them, swirling away, enjoying themselves and performing all sorts of aerial displays, or so it seemed to me. A lot of the walk follows bridlepaths, which are always good for dog walkers, there being easy to operate gates instead of tricky stiles. It sets off from Hetton, and heads off towards Winterburn Reservoir before going into Winterburn itself and then crossing fields back to Hetton. But for me, the most special part of the walk is the very special dense woodland on the track from the reservoir to Winterburn. The trees were just starting to change colour when I was there and they looked magical - I stood still for some time transfixed by their beauty and sent into a trance by the noise of the wind whispering through the branches. Just watch out for pheasant shooting season though, it does ruin the peace somewhat.

To find more routes in and around Silsden, visit Alan's website Silstrolls.org.uk

1 From Hetton, and with the Angel on your left, walk for a short way and take Moor Lane on the left - not the track immediately next to the Angel, a little way along and marked bridleway, Weets Top. Continue along wide track for some way, through a couple of gates, and straight ahead until after one and a quarter miles you reach a fingerpost. Go straight ahead towards Bordley. Immediately after gate, path splits into two, take left hand one, which descends slowly, with fine view of Winterburn Reservoir on left. Path drops down to a sturdy bridge over Hetton Common Beck. Follow path as it goes left, over a wooden footbridge and through a gate before winding its way along the edge of the reservoir. It can get very boggy here, so beware. After a while, the path leaves the reservoir and goes right up into a field, with a deep gorge on your left. Follow the gorge up the field to a wall and in the corner you will find a stile. Over stile and then left along track, over cattle grid.

2 After a short distance, take the stile on the right into a large field. Keep to left hand side and up hill towards farmhouse. Just before farmhouse, follow footpath sign though gate, cross over field, bearing to the right, to join track and turn left. Continue along track as it winds its way round to the left, with reservoir on left, gradually going downhill to a T-junction. Ahead of you is the reservoir spillway. At T junction, turn right along track and stay on track, with Winterburn on your left. Passing through largely deciduous trees and a pheasant shoot. You will eventually come out into Winterburn. At sign post head right for Calton and Airton. Continue along, ignoring little bridge off to right, and keep going straight ahead along narrow road.

3 After just more than half a mile take bridlepath, Moor Lane, opposite entrance to Friar's Head. Climb up hill, keeping wall to left, and then off to the right, following the wall that drops down from the right. Follow the wall, keeping it on your left, to a gateway with a gas sign on it. Straight across field to another gate. And forward again, keeping wall on your left, to two gates. Take the bridlepath gate on left, signed Hills Lane. Cross field, with wall on right, passing hunt jump, and passing stone barn on right. Exit onto Hills Lane and turn right onto road. Follow road back into Hetton.

Fact File

Location: Flasby - Winterburn - Hetton

Start/finish: Hetton

Distance: Just over seven miles, allow three to four hours.

Difficulty level: Easy walking, but boggy in parts.

Terrain: Quiet roads, lanes, moorland and fields.

Livestock: Sheep, cattle and lots of pheasants.

Gates: Easy gates and stiles

Refreshments: Angel at Hetton

Parking: On road at Hetton.