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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