THOUSANDS of walkers will make a giant step towards a healthier lifestyle this weekend when they take to the Weardale countryside.

Almost 5,000 people have signed up to take part in the Great North Walk on Sunday, which is being held in the district for the fourth time.

The ten-mile route will give walkers a chance to exercise while taking in views of some of the region's most stunning scenery.

The last time the walk was held in Wear Valley it followed an eight-mile route around Wolsingham, which has been adapted by mountaineer Alistair Wallace.

The experienced hiker, and author of five walking guides, will launch his new pocket-size ring-bound walking guide, The Weardale Way.

Starting and finishing at the village recreation ground, the route will follow part of the River Wear before meandering through Black Bank Forest to Knitsley Fell.

Mr Wallace said: "This is one of the best vantage points in the region, you can see the whole of Weardale which is absolutely spectacular. I've hiked all over the country and Weardale and Teesdale are as good as it gets. The route is the best walk possible in the lower Dales."

It will then follow a circular path past the Elephant Trees landmark and through woodland back to the park, which will host family activities and refreshments.

The Great North Walk, organised by Nova International and Wear Valley District Council, was based around Wolsingham in 1991, Bishop Auckland in 1997 and Wolsingham in 2000.

Many walkers are completing the route for sponsorship money and dozens of people joined the Wear Walking for Health scheme, a series of guided walks organised by the council, as training for the walk.

Lynn Wilson, scheme co-ordinator, said: "Aiming to complete the Great North Walk has encouraged a lot of people to take up regular walking which is such a good form of exercise."

The Northern Echo and Advertiser Series teamed up with Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales PCT and Northumbrian Water to launch a campaign called Chance to Live.

It aims to improve the well-being of people in the district by promoting the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

The event, the subject of a Tyne Tees television programme on Sunday, July 27, will also highlight the Dale's recovery after the foot and mouth epidemic, which led to the walk being cancelled for two years.