Route: Wansfell from Troutbeck
Area: South Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 18th March 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.9 miles
Weather: Sunny spells but very hazy
I parked in the small car park by Church Bridge, just outside Troutbeck. I followed the footpath alongside the A592 for a short distance before joining a path which crossed Trout Beck and headed up the other side of the valley along Hundreds Road – a lovely old track and a very easy way to gain height
Eventually it was time to turn uphill, but much of the climbing had already been done, so it was a simple ascent up to Wansfell Pike. There were a few other walkers on the Pike – they must have climbed from Ambleside, as I only saw one other person on the way up
Contrary to popular belief, the Pike is not the summit of the fell though it has the best views. Today those views were poor thanks to the hazy conditions – a real shame. I made my way along the undulating ridge for about 1 mile before reaching the true summit, about 16 feet higher than the Pike. No-one else came this way
I headed back down featureless terrain before arriving at Nanny Lane, and this ancient track took me back down into Troutbeck
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Before I set off for Troutbeck, a pied wagtail in the garden
…and a red squirrel
Start of the walk, near Jesus Church Troutbeck
Crossing Trout Beck over the wooden footbridge which runs parallel to Church Bridge
The roadside path along the A592
Heading across the valley towards Townend
I cross Trout Beck for the second time
Approaching Townend
Townend - owned by the National Trust, I wish that I’d had time for a visit, but will be back
Beautiful Grade II Listed barn opposite Townend
Robin Lane
Windermere through the haze
Hundreds Road
The ridge of Wansfell comes into view
Looking towards Windermere
Beyond the gate there is open fellside
The Wansfell ridge
Bonnie
A hazy view of Windermere from Wansfell Pike
Ambleside
The summit of Wansfell is in the distance, and the path runs beside the dry stone wall
Wansfell ahead - the path leaves the wall at this point
Summit of Wansfell
After descending through some featureless terrain, I’m now on Nanny Lane
Looking back along the lane to Wansfell
Descending towards Troutbeck
Troutbeck
Jesus Church ahead, which marks the end of the walk
I walk through the churchyard back to the start
