New technology has helped to put the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the headlines again.

An audio trail to help visitors spot red squirrels has been rated among the top 10 in the country by a national newspaper.

The virtual guided walk from Hawes to a red squirrel sanctuary at Snaizeholme was set up by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and was featured in an article published on Saturday (April 24) in the Daily Telegraph weekend supplement.

The 9.5 mile (15km) self-guided linear walk starts and finishes at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. From the Authority’s website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk, walkers can print a map before they start and download an audio file onto their MP3 player describing what they might see as they walk along and telling them about squirrels and their habitats.

Telegraph author Graham Norwood said: “Many of our traditional rural organisations, from the National Parks to the Wildlife Trusts, are embracing the digital age with enthusiasm. Instead of relying on books, maps and signs, they are encouraging visitors to use technology to bring a modern twist to the experience of the great outdoors.”

The Snaizeholme MP3 trail is one of six created by the YDNPA’s Communications Team as the Authority takes advantage of new technology to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the National Park’s special qualities.

Interpretation Officer Karen Griffiths said: “It’s great news that we have received national recognition for the innovative work we are doing to help people explore this special place.

“We have been quick to recognise the appeal and availability of new technology for widening audiences and the ways we can use it to introduce them to the beautiful National Park – and we have already gained quite a following on the social media websites Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.”

The other ways the National Park Authority has gone hi-tech are:

Online Virtual Visits – people can explore Ribblehead and the villages of Hawes, Malham, Buckden and Dent from their homes before they set out using 360 degree photographic panoramas. The pages also include links to the local MP3 trails, PDFs of walk leaflets and interpretation panels and information on geocaches. Find them at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/virtual_visits. The Communications Team is also hoping to develop an iPhone app this year that will be linked to the virtual visits.

Geocaching – visitors can try their hand at using satellite technology to go on a hi-tech treasure hunt and learn about the National Park at the same time.

The fast-growing sport involves using co-ordinates downloaded into Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to find hidden caches – plastic boxes containing information, a log book and trade items. More than 30 geocaches have been dotted around the National Park. If you have your own GPS you can download the co-ordinates for each cache at both Grassington and Malham National Park Centres (NPCs). Beginners can hire GPS equipment from the Grassington, Reeth, Malham, Hawes and Aysgarth Falls NPCs and follow special quiz trails suitable for all the family.

Bluetooth – visitors can use the Bluetooth facility of their mobile phone or PDA to download walks and information from special Bluetooth hotspots at Grassington, Reeth and Hawes NPCs. Each download contains maps, route descriptions and photos about the individual village – and is available 24/7 and free of charge. You don’t even need a mobile phone signal.

The geocaching, audio trails and Bluetooth downloads are all free and information about them is available at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk