Route: Fairfield Horseshoe
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 2nd June 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 12.1 miles
Ascent: 3,500 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies
I parked in the public car park on the outskirts of Ambleside and after walking along the road for a short distance entered the sylvan grounds of Rydal Park, a wonderful place and worth a visit in its own right
After passing through Rydal Hall the collar work began – the ascent of the first fell on the round – Nab Scar (1,450 feet). For anyone looking to bag a few Wainwrights this walk is a good choice, as the are no less than 8 on offer. After Nab Scar there then followed, in order of appearance, Heron Pike (2,003 feet), Great Rigg (2,513 feet), Fairfield (2,863 feet), Hart Crag (2,698 feet), Dove Crag (2,603 feet), High Pike (2,155 feet) and Low Pike (1,657 feet)
Although it’s quite a long walk, the going is easy throughout. There are a few rocky sections but none of them difficult. Navigation is easy too, as long as the weather is clear. In mist, the summit of Fairfield is a bad trap and care needs to be taken lest you end up in Patterdale as we did once, many years ago – but that’s another story
This is a classic round and it didn’t disappoint today – it was a wonderful walk
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
Walnuts are flavour of the month
Bridge House Ambleside as I leave the car park on the edge of the town
After a short walk along the road I enter Rydal Park
A walk in the park
The first fell on the round, Nab Scar, comes into view
The Grot at Rydal Hall - a Grade II listed building, built in 1668 to provide a frame for the waterfall
A short diversion to admire the view from Rydal Hall
The collar work begins with the ascent of Nab Scar
Looking across to my eventual return route
A view back to Ambleside and Windermere
Looking down to Rydal Water
Rydal Water and Grasmere
Loughrigg Terrace
Looking back
From Nab Scar, the horseshoe begins to show itself, with Heron Pike and Great Rigg ahead and Fairfield beyond
Heron Pike
The horseshoe
A short but easy rocky section to Great Rigg
Rydal Beck
Summit of Great Rigg and the path to Fairfield ahead
Coniston Water in the distance
I follow the easy path to the summit of Fairfield
St Sunday Crag from Fairfield
Looking into Patterdale
About half way round now as I head towards Hart Crag and Dove Crag on the return leg
Deepdale Beck on my left as I round the corner
Hart Crag
Looking back - very unflattering light for photos I’m afraid
I follow the dry stone wall down to High Pike and Low Pike
Looking down to Rydal Beck
Low Pike from High Pike
Windermere ahead
Beyond Low Pike it’s an easy descent back to Ambleside
I cross Low Sweden Bridge, and from here it’s a short stroll back into Ambleside
