12½ miles (20km) with 3200ft (975m) Total Ascent
We will do the fairfield horseshoe.
9 miles (15km) with 1800ft (549m) Total Ascent
This walk is similar to the B walk, so Tony suggests we move off first to avoid mix ups.
Leaving the coach at Windermere, we take the path to Ellery Bank & Orrest Head, before descending to Causeway Farm, Near Orrest and Far Orrest (Dirty bog! Gaiters recommended). Skirting Allen Knott, we turn right onto Moorhowe Road and then left onto Longmire Lane which leads us to Limefitt Park. We now follow the A592 right to the church before taking a track to Troutbeck where we will have lunch around here.
Walking through Troutbeck to Nanny Lane, we now climb up Wansfell taking a right fork to The Hundreds. Crossing a wall we now continue diagonally onto the ridgeline, then left along the ridge (clean bog) to Wansfell summit 482 metres (If you really want thousands you have to do it twice). Sorry but it´s a steep and stony descent to Ambleside, if it is very icy we will take Robin Lane and a minor road to a track leading to Stockghyll Force before returning to Ambleside.
9 miles (14.5km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent
This is a linear walk starting from Windermere.
Immediately after leaving the coach we ascend 410 feet to the Orrest Head Viewpoint , which stands at 784 feet above sea level. We descend in a northerly direction to Causeway Farm and follow a minor road eastwards, past Near Orrest Farm, to reach Moorhowe Road. We soon turn off there to proceed north along a Byway for 1.5 miles before dropping down to Limefitt House Holiday Park and Troutbeck. Here we pick up Robin Lane (another track) and this climbs steadily for a mile to High Skelghyll where it drops down through Skelghyll Wood, past Jenkin Crag, to Waterhead. The rest of the walk takes us along the road to the coach in Ambleside for the journey home.
6.45 miles (10.1km) with 262ft (80m) Total Ascent
Today´s walk is a circular, starting from Ambleside.
We begin by heading North to Rothay Park where we turn West and make our way to the footbridge over the River Rothay. Keeping the river on our right we follow the road to Pelter Bridge. If the weather allows, we hope to take the lower path through a small wood and along the edge of Rydal Water. Approaching Loughrigg Terrace we turn North through another small wood, then cross the bridge and continue to the Banner Rigg car park. Next we cross the A591, and begin to slowly climb (180ft) North West until we reach the path to Rydal. Here we turn East. If the weather is good, we will have a lovely the view of Rydal Water and Loughrigg Fell to our right, before reaching Rydal Hall and continuing down through Rydal Park.
Finally we follow the road back into Ambleside where there should be time for a refreshments and/or Christmas shopping. This is a moderately easy walk with good paths. Alison and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
