Red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales have proved to be a popular attraction

Figures show that, in a 23-week period between July and November last year, 600 people took advantage of a trail set up from Hawes to a viewing point in the red squirrel reserve at Snaizeholme.

The National Park’s area ranger for Upper Wensleydale, Matt Neale, said: “Back in June, we installed a pedestrian counter on the squirrel trail to try to get an estimate of the number of visitors using it.

“We have been pleasantly surprised with the interest that the trail and the viewing point have generated.

“In particular, the counter has shown that in one week in June alone, 50 walkers used the trail – and there were several other weeks when it recorded 40 visitors, which is fantastic news.”

The park’s wildlife conservation officer Ian Court said: “It’s encouraging that so many people have taken advantage of the red squirrel trail and have enjoyed the walk through some of the National Park’s beautiful countryside – with the added pleasure of seeing these threatened creatures in their natural habitat.”

The red squirrel viewing area was created in woodland at Snaizeholme by landowner Hugh Kemp and his wife Jane, with the help of the National Park staff and volunteers.

Mr Kemp said: “We are astonished and delighted that we are getting so many people walking up here. I think it’s lovely that we are able to share this with the general public.”

Maps of the trail are available on the authority’s website at yorkshiredales.org.

uk/snaizeholme-red-squirrel trail and at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes – the starting point for the tenmile round trip.

■ Britain’s native red squirrel is under threat from grey squirrels that were originally introduced into England from the US in the late 1880s and are now widespread.

The main threat comes from the squirrelpox virus the greys can carry. They are immune to it, but it is fatal to the reds.