Route: Circuit of Rydal Water
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 7th July 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.4 miles
Ascent: 650 feet
Weather: Cloudy but bright and warm
This is a popular walk, rather too popular at times due to its proximity to the honeypot destinations of Ambleside and Grasmere, and so we set off early in order to avoid the crowds. This plan was thwarted at the start (the car park at Pelter Bridge) when we encountered a huge group of 160 schoolchildren setting off round the lake at the same time as us. There’s nothing wrong with schoolchildren – unless you’re planning a quiet country walk – so we decided to reverse our planned route and walk round the lake anti-clockwise in order to avoid their excited chatter. Sorry kids, no offence
After crossing Pelter Bridge we visited the beautiful grounds of Rydal Hall and then set off along the old Coffin Road which was formerly used for taking the dead of Rydal to Grasmere Church for burial
We left the road just beyond the head of Rydal Water and after crossing the road joined a path which follows the bank of the River Rothay. When we reached the foot of Grasmere we crossed the footbridge and walked back to the start along the lovely elevated path above Rydal Water
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 we set off this morning
After leaving the car park we cross Pelter Bridge and turn left along the roadside for a short distance
We pass by St Mary’s Church Rydal
Rydal Hall is a few yards further up the lane and we make a short detour to walk round the grounds
The Grot, a Grade II listed building, built 1668 to provide a window to frame the view of lower Rydal Beck waterfall
The formal gardens in front of Rydal Hall
As we leave Rydal Hall we pass by these cottages
At the top of the lane we join the track known as the Coffin Road
Views of Rydal Water as we walk along the track…
The Coffin Road continues into Grasmere, but we leave it just beyond this point and descend towards the road
Waterfall near the roadside at White Moss Common
After crossing the road we follow a path beside the River Rothay
Entering Penny Rock Wood
We cross the footbridge over the River Rothay
Grasmere Weir
Looking back to Grasmere as we climb up to the elevated path below Loughrigg Terrace
The higher path contours round the fellside but we decide to take the left hand fork instead
Ruined barn overlooking Rydal Water
The path descends gently to the shore of Rydal Water…
Looking across to the boathouse
Beyond the foot of the lake we follow the track back to Pelter Bridge
Woodland next to the car park - and the end of a lovely short walk
