Route: Loughrigg Fell
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 11th November 2021
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.5 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
Weather: A few distant patches of sun, but mostly cloudy and overcast
It’s over 5 years since my last visit here and a return was overdue. I parked on the private road beside St Mary’s Church Rydal and paid the requested parking fee, which goes towards upkeep of the gardens. Parking is quite limited so it’s advised to arrive early. There is alternative parking at nearby Pelter Bridge
I followed the path beside the A591 for a few yards, heading west, and then turned off to cross the footbridge over the River Rothay. This brought me to the shore of Rydal Water, and I followed the lakeshore path to Loughrigg Terrace, a classic vantage point with views over Grasmere
At the end of the terrace I turned sharply uphill to follow a steep rock staircase. The path here is being renovated, and becomes rougher further up, but there are no difficulties. Eventually I arrived at the summit of Loughrigg Fell from where the views are normally superb, but today lacked impact thanks to low cloud and flat light. The summit area of the fell is a complicated place with numerous ups and downs and with paths leading in all directions. I followed the main descent path in the general direction of Windermere. This gradually curves round to head east. I arrived at a dry stone wall and from here followed a narrow path beside Fox Ghyll. This brought me down to a lane beside the River Rothay which I followed as far as Pelter Bridge, turning left just before the bridge to make my way back to the start
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
St Mary's Church Rydal at the start of today's walk
After walking beside the A591 for a few yards I cross the footbridge over the River Rothay
A small unnamed island on Rydal Water at the start of the lakeshore path
The boathouse at the foot of the lake
Rydal Water
Reflections in the lake
I continue beside Rydal Water - thanks to an early start I have the place to myself
Little Isle
Loughrigg Fell on the left
Looking back along the path, with the boathouse far right
I pass by an old barn
Looking down to a lower path as I climb up Loughrigg Terrace
Loughrigg Terrace, one of the loveliest paths in lakeland...
...and this is why - views over Grasmere as I follow the terrace path
A passing beam of light on Helm Crag...
At the edge of Redbank Wood I leave Loughrigg Terrace to start the climb up to Loughrigg Fell
Looking back down the path
A last look back to Grasmere. Disappointingly, low cloud rolls in and the light deteriorates quickly from this point
Looking back along the path
OS trig point at the summit of Loughrigg Fell, looking towards Windermere
Looking back towards Grasmere
Murky light as I start the descent in the direction of Windermere
I follow the undulating path across the complicated summit area of Loughrigg Fell
I arrive at a dry stone wall and follow this narrow path beside it
Rydal Park below
Autumn colours in the woodland on my left
Rydal Park again
I cross a footbridge by a small waterfall in Fox Ghyll
I arrive at a quiet lane and turn left along it...
I turn left at Pelter Bridge. For once, the speed sign doesn't err on the side of caution. Anyone driving over the bridge at 40mph would take off
I re-cross the bridge over the River Rothay and retrace my steps back to the start
A short diversion into the grounds of Rydal Hall to visit The Grot, a Grade II listed building over 350 years old, and built to frame the view of the lower Rydal Beck waterfall
