There are so many beautiful places to explore in Luton and Bedfordshire. We have pulled together a quick guide to our favourite websites and locations where you can find local walking or cycling routes for you to try.

For a small county, Bedfordshire contains a remarkable variety of landscapes which are wonderful to explore with friends and family.

At Dunstable Downs you can take in a breathtaking landscape, sculpted over time, decorated by nature and enjoyed by generations. Dunstable Downs and the surrounding area is perfect for walking. They have a range of downloadable walks from 2 -6 miles.

Whilst at Rushmere Country Park you can explore over 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows. They have trails for people of all ages and abilities including cycling, horse riding, dog walking and a sculpture trail.

In Luton you can explore the wonderful walled gardens in Stockwood Discover Centre, explore the museum for free and take a stroll in the park area and discover all the facillties including play areas, football pitches, rugby club and an Athletics Centre.

Would you like to walk through history? Or discover where are Green Flag awards are or simply want a nice day out to explore the countryide? Visit CPRE - Beds for more information

Let's Go! provides all the information you will need to get the most out of Bedfordshire by foot or cycling. Simply click on one of the options (walking, cycling) , use the simple search facilities on the area you want to explore in Bedfordshire and simply download the resulting maps and descriptions.

Alternatively if you are looking for a more challenging walk. The Greensand Ridge Walk is the area's most famous route, running for more than 40 miles between Leighton Buzzard and Gamlingay. You don't have to tackle it all at once! The walk can very easily be divided into shorter sections; and with good public transport links, pubs and B&Bs along the way, its no wonder that 'walking the ridge' is one of Greensand Country's most popular outdoor pursuits.

The Greensand Country website offers detailed maps of where to go for you to take in the breath taking scenery of this particular area of Bedfordshire by foot, cycling or on horseback.

Walks in the Bedfordshire Chilterns

Image credit: www.chilternsaonb.org

Great Offley and Charlton walk A 6 mile stile-free walk starting starting from the Red Lion in the village of Great Offley and heading to the small hamlet of Charlton. You should see red kites and buzzards, and perhaps a sparrow hawk or a hobby, or even a rare bee orchid.

Lilley and Warden Hills loop A 4.8 mile stile-free walk starting from the historic village of Lilley. It passes through farmland and chalk downland to the summit of Warden Hill with far reaching views in all directions. Warden Hill is home to many wild flowers and butterflies.

Pegsdon and Deacon Hills A 3.5 mile walk into the Pegsdon Hills Nature Reserve where you can see rare chalkland plants and butterflies. From the top you can enjoy some of the best views in the North Chilterns. Visit Deacon Hill with its ancient earthworks then walk along the edge of a mature beech wood before emerging above Knocking Hoe reserve.