Route: Circuit of Rydal Water
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 29th October 2024
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.0 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Sunny intervals, mild
I haven’t visited Rydal Water for 5 years, and was keen to see the autumn colours around the lake. The area is a popular tourist destination, partly thanks to its historical connection with William Wordsworth. Whatever time of year is chosen, there is little chance of wandering lonely as a cloud in these parts. I was lucky to park in the one remaining roadside space near Pelter Bridge. There is another car park nearby, and other parking places at White Moss Common if these are all taken
I set off in a clockwise direction and soon joined the path by the shore of Rydal Water. At a junction I took the higher path, known as Loughrigg Terrace. There are some outstanding views over Rydal Water along the way and, a little further on, over Grasmere. I descended through Deerbolts Woods to the foot of Grasmere and just beyond the weir I crossed the footbridge over the River Rothay. After a lovely riverside section I crossed the A591 and climbed up to join the old Coffin Road, so called as it was the route used to take the dead of Rydal to the church in Grasmere for burial
The path is quite rough in parts and woodland restricts the views in the early stages. Later on however there are good views over Rydal Water and the surrounding fells. The Coffin Road ends at Rydal Hall and I made a short detour into the lovely grounds to revisit the Grot and its waterfall. From the Hall I followed a footpath beside the A591 for a short distance before turning off at Pelter Bridge to end a lovely circuit
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Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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The start of the walk as I follow the access track from Pelter Bridge and turn right at this cottage
I descend to the River Rothay, which flows out of Rydal Water
Path beside the River Rothay
I arrive at the foot of Rydal Water
Nab Scar overlooking Rydal Water. Blue skies were a welcome surprise in light of the weather forecast which predicted fog, low cloud and no sun
Nab Scar again and the Rydal Water boathouse
Looking down to the shoreline path as I climb above it to join Loughrigg Terrace
Autumn colours along Loughrigg Terrace below Loughrigg Fell
Ewe Crag ahead
The head of Rydal Water and the shoreline path below
Further along Loughrigg Terrace
Looking across to Helm Crag
Looking down to an old barn, with Helm Crag in the distance
Views back to Rydal Water...
Grasmere comes into view
Grasmere - Loughrigg Terrace ends just beyond this point
I enter into Deerbolts Woods
I descend to the foot of Grasmere...
I follow the old sign to the lake
Looking towards the head of Grasmere
I pass by the weir and just beyond it cross over the River Rothay...
I follow a path through the woods with the River Rothay close by on the right...
Looking across the River Rothay. I continue through the wood for a short distance and arrive at the A591
Having crossed the road I head uphill, passing by a waterfall
I join the old Coffin Road
Views of Rydal Water on my right...
Heron Island
I enter the grounds of Rydal Hall (entry is free)
I pass by The Grot, or Grotto, built in 1668 by Sir Daniel Fleming and designed as a place to frame and enjoy Rydal Falls
I leave Rydal Hall, passing by Rydal Park
St Marys Church, built by Lady le Fleming of Rydal Hall in 1824. William Wordsworth was a churchwarden here around 10 years later
Beyond the church I arrive at the A591 and follow the footpath, but only for a short distance
I cross Pelter Bridge to complete a lovely circuit of Rydal Water
