THOSE planning a good walk after all the Christmas excess can now plan their route from the comfort of their sofa.

They can feast their eyes on the beauty of the longest trail crossing the North York Moors by viewing 360-degree panoramic images on the internet.

The entire 109-mile Cleveland Way National Trail is now live on Google Street View following a mapping exercise by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

The park’s team used a special elongated camera and computer equipment mounted in a backpack as part of the Google Trekker loan program.

And it took volunteers from the Hardmoors ultra-running team the equivalent of 13 full days within a seven-month period to walk the length of the trail carrying the 23kg backpack.

Capturing the images took time as the team could only use the Trekker on fine, bright days and needed to ensure the camera kit remained upright as they walked slowly along, even when faced with low branches and scrambling over challenging terrain.

The image sequence has since been stitched together to provide viewers with panoramic vistas right along the Cleveland Way, which stretches from Helmsley across the North York Moors to Saltburn-by-the-Sea before re-entering the National Park and then following the coastline down to Filey.

National Trails Officer Malcolm Hodgson said: “It is fantastic to harness the power of Google Street View in this way.

“Taking a virtual tour of the trail not only showcases the beauty of the Cleveland Way but it can also be a valuable planning tool, particularly giving reassurance to novice walkers when they’re looking to stride out on a section of the route.

“Local businesses can also benefit as they can use the images on Street View to help provide directions and information for visitors.”

Jon Steele of Hardmoors added: “It is great to see the project going live especially as there were several challenging sections when we were walking with the Trekker including scrambling up the Wainstones and ducking down low enough under trees and hedges.

“However there were many lighter moments particularly when we were treated like celebrities as we walked through Scarborough to applause from visitors, after news of the Trekker project had been released.

“Plus there was the time when a group of children thought I was strapped to a rocket and about to fly. We have never had so many photographs taken of us.”