Route: Circuit of Grasmere and Rydal Water
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 12th August 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 9.3 miles
Weather: Mainly overcast, a few showers and bright spells
A gloomy weather forecast persuaded me to plan a low level walk today, though as it turned out the weather was reasonable and I couldn’t complain
I arrived in Grasmere early so was able to park in one of the few free roadside spaces. After leaving the village I walked along Red Bank for a short distance and then headed up the fellside
The views from the path were good but not as good as those of Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace which I joined a little later on – this is a short walk in heaven
I descended from the terrace to Rydal and then took the Coffin Road back to Grasmere. I’d seen a few folk on the walk but when I arrived back in the village it was heaving with tourists. I wonder if they know about the delights to be found on the paths around here?
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
An hour or so later, walking into Grasmere
Red Bank, a shortcut from Grasmere to Langdale - in theory at least
After a short distance I leave Red Bank to climb up the fellside
Looking back to Grasmere village
Another view back, this time to Helm Crag and Seat Sandal
A great view from here of both Grasmere and Rydal Water beyond
Three more lakes and tarns come into view - from left to right Windermere, Loughrigg Tarn and Elterwater
The path descends towards the southern end of Grasmere
Grasmere
The short walk in heaven that is Loughrigg Terrace
And this is why - the superb view over Grasmere all the way along
Rydal Water ahead - there is a lower path down there which hugs the shore but I keep to the higher level path
I pass by a massive cave, not named on the OS map, and can’t resist looking inside
I read afterwards that Wainwright says the whole population of Ambleside could find shelter here - they’d have wet feet though
Descending to meet the lower path round Rydal Water
Rydal Water
Crossing the River Rothay
St Mary’s Church Rydal
The Coffin Road from Rydal, which was once used to carry the dead to be buried in Grasmere
Grasmere
Descending back to Grasmere
Back in Grasmere village - and the Herdy shop with its classic logo
