Virtual tours of the Peaks

The Peak District is to become the first UK national park to offer visitors a 360 degree view of its rolling hills – before they even arrive.
Peak District National Park Ranger with Google Trekker backpack on the Monsal Viaduct, Peak District.Peak District National Park Ranger with Google Trekker backpack on the Monsal Viaduct, Peak District.
Peak District National Park Ranger with Google Trekker backpack on the Monsal Viaduct, Peak District.

The national park is using Google Trekker equipment to be the first in the UK to capture its iconic and diverse landscapes on Google Street View.

It means the protected landscape of the Peak District will be available online for all to enjoy from home, work, or while on the move.

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The new equipment enables imagery to be captured via a backpack allowing it to be taken into remote locations.

It is an opportunity to bring the park to life through a virtual tour.

Jim Dixon, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “I am thrilled to know we are the first UK national park to get the Trekker backpack.

“It is amazing to think that thanks to technology that many more people will be able to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the Peak District.

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“The Trekker will help bring the Peak District to life online and hopefully inspire families to come and enjoy a walk or a cycle ride in the most beautiful landscapes.”

The Trekker is designed to capture 360 degree imagery in public locations, which the Street View car and trike cannot typically reach.

The images it takes will then be added to Street View, available through Google Maps.

With more organisations all over the world borrowing the Trekker, armchair–explorers, travellers and history enthusiasts will soon be able view many remote and hard–to–reach places, which they may never have discovered on their own.

Emily Clarke, from Google, said: “We’re excited that the Peak District will be using the Street View Trekker so more of us can experience its famous trails and views from wherever we are.”