Route: Circuit of Rydal Water
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 23rd October 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.0 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: overcast with light rain
The mountain weather forecast was very negative today, though I only needed to look out of the window to see that a fell walk wasn’t on the cards, so I decided to drive over to Rydal for a short low level walk. This is always a good place to come, whatever the weather
I parked on the lane by St Mary’s Church Rydal and walked uphill to join the Coffin Road. This delightful elevated track runs above Rydal Water, giving good views across the lake to the fells on the far side
I then descended to White Moss and followed the River Rothay for a while before heading back to the start along the other shore of Rydal Water
For the second day running the main problem of the walk was keeping rainwater off the camera lens. Despite the miserable weather, the beauty of the surroundings shone through undiminished
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)
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Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
At the start of the walk - St Mary’s Church Rydal
Rydal Mount is a little further up the lane
At the top of the lane I join the Coffin Road
The Coffin Road
Rydal Water comes into view
I leave the Coffin Road to head downhill towards White Moss
Waterfall at White Moss
After crossing the road, I head towards the river which flows between Grasmere and Rydal Water
The very elegant new White Moss Bridge, which has replaced the old wooden one
The River Rothay from the bridge
I could go either way but the riverside walk is a little longer, so I decide to turn right here being in no hurry to end the walk
The slopes of Loughrigg Fell are on the left
Grasmere
I decide to take the lower of the two paths along Rydal Water
Further along the lower path
Little Isle, the smaller of the two islands on Rydal Water
Nab Cottage, Heron Island and Little Isle, overlooked by Nab Scar
Lovely autumn colours on the two islands
Looking back along Rydal Water
The lane leading back towards Rydal Mount
I spot a heron as I cross the footbridge over the River Rothay
The end of the walk as I arrive back at St Mary’s Church
Back at home, more red squirrel action
