December
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
9.9 miles (15.9km) with 2800ft (850m) Total Ascent (Assuming Scansdale Pass descent)
To maximise walking time during winter daylight we´ll be dropping off at Ambleside and walking through the village to climb the ridge route ascending past Flesh Crags and Snarker Moss to the top of Red Screes at 776m.
From there we´ll make the short descent to Middle Dodd along Smallthwaite Band to take in the views over Brothers water and Place Fell. We then track across to Broad Crag and take the long descent down the Scandale Pass though the valley and back to Ambleside.
As an alternative to the Scansdale Pass descent, if conditions are good and progress rapid, there will be an option to ascend Black Brow and follow the east ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe across High Pike and Low Pike before descending to Ambleside.
10 miles (16km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent
Due to Dave Thornton not being available, Dave Colbert has stepped in to lead this walk.
There is significant damage to woodland in the original proposed walking area caused by Storm Arwen, so a different walk will be substituted as opposed to the write up in Footprints.
8 miles (12.9km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent
This is a lovely ramble from Hawkshead to Hawkshead taking in lakeland scenery.
Heading north we pass Craggwood and Hole House going left of Blelham Tarn and onto to the splendid Wray Castle. Still heading North we pass Spica Coppice heading towards the village of Outgate and onto Knipe Fold crossing fields to Skinner Lane and back to Hawkshead.
HAPPY DAYS
6 miles (9.7km) with 150ft (46m) Total Ascent
The walk starts from Waterhead, Ambleside (toilets available).
From here, we follow the roadside path to the Roman site, passing through, before we reach are that Bridge. We then take the riverside lane to Rothay park. Keeping left over the bridge, we follow the track to the A591. We turn left here and take the roadside path to enter the grounds of Rydal Hall. Reaching the hall, we will have a short stop before leaving to make our way down to the Badger Hotel.
We cross the road to pass through the wood where we turn left to head for Pelter Bridge. We now walk along the lane by the river Rothay and back to pass through the park. Here we can make our way to Hayes Garden centre before meeting the coach at Waterhead.