An early morning stroll through Cockerdale becomes a trek as the path is ankle-deep in mud following the continuing heavy rains. In the fields alongside the Tong Beck a ground frost still lingers and the dead leaves crunch beneath the feet. High above, a pair of jays chatter noisily, whilst out on the pasture, rooks and magpies search for an early worm. As the sun slides above the hillside, it chases away those last few wisps of overnight mist.

In the bankside vegetation by the beck, a movement catches the eye. A stoat is bounding along, twisting and turning through plants and stones, checking each nook and cranny. Spotting us, it dives for cover. Popping out for another look, it decides we are potentially dangerous, skips over the bankside and is lost amongst the rat tunnels. Ahead of us a wet flash, covered in rush and sedge, lies in the hollow between footpath and beck. Two herons flap lazily upward and circle round us to our right.

Crossing a footbridge where an ancient pack horse road crosses the valley a kingfisher darts off upstream. Two pairs of grey wagtail loop from rock to rock. They pick off insects from flood debris caught in the stones, delivered by the current. Wrens chatter noisily from overhanging brambles and a flock of goldfinches scatter off a stand of thistles.

The ground is still treacherous; this route is popular with locals and visitors from Leeds and Bradford. It forms part of the Leeds Country Way, a network of footpaths which skirt the urban fringes, taking the walker out into a countryside that is all but hidden from view to the car-bound traveller. This section snakes through the valley bottom below Pudsey and will take us as far as Batley. Much of the path follows local becks and streams, often with woodland rising on the high slope alongside. Nowhere is it more than a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre. No need to park your car on country lanes or gateways. It also means that you don't have to worry about thieves.