February
8:00 Start with 17:00 Return
Dove Crag & Fairfield with Dave Colbert
9½ Miles / 15km with 3.250ft / 990m Total AscentThe ‘Fairfield Horseshoe’ is one of the Lake District’s classic fell walks and rightly so, and today we will hike around three quarters of it, taking in six of the eight ‘Wainwright’ tops on the round. Starting from the Rydal Road car park just north of Ambleside town centre, we take the lane to Low Sweden Bridge before climbing onto the eastern arm of said horseshoe. Our route is along the broad ridge taking in Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag before reaching Fairfield itself, at 873m/2,865ft the highest point on the walk. We then head for Great Rigg, leaving the horseshoe here to descend to Grasmere, grabbing a bonus ‘Wainwright’ Stone Arthur on the way.
Please note that weather and/or fell conditions on the day may necessitate an alternative, lower-level hike. Various options are available but unless it’s really bad, we will follow a linear route from Brockhole to Grasmere taking in Wansfell’ ridge and Loughrigg Fell. This is similar in terms of both length and the amount of climbing.
Helm Crag and Far Easedale with Stuart Arnold 8½ Miles / 13.6km with 2,000ft / 610m Total Ascent
We will walk up the road out of Grasmere to Lancrigg where we begin our ascent of Helm Crag locally known as the Lion and the Lamb or the Howitzer.
We then follow the ridge for 2½ miles going over two more Wainwright's Gibson Knott and Calf Crag.
Here we begin our descent into far Easedale Gill and follow this all the way back into Grasmere.
Grasmere & Rydal Water Circular with Christine & Margaret 7½ Miles / 11km with 750ft / 229m Total Ascent
From Grasmere we go up Red Band Road, then down to Grasmere lake, follow the River Rothey, then Loughrigg Terrace, then crossing Pelter Bridge, Rydal Mount then on to the Coffin route back to Grasmere for Refreshments, A lovely walk, lets hope the weather is kind to us.
Grasmere Circular with Barbara Gilbert & Jan Atkins 5.2 Miles / 8.3km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent
From car park in Grasmere (toilets 50p card only payment)
We follow the road South East towards Town End to pass Dove Cottage (former home of William Wordsworth). The route then passes the woodland of White Moss Common before picking up the popular Coffin Route (so called as it was used to convey coffins on their final journey to St Oswalds Church in Grasmere). This route follows it to Rydal Mount and Rydal Hall where there are pretty gardens and a rushing waterfall.
The walk turns south to cross a footbridge over the River Rothay before picking up a woodland path which takes you to Rydal Water where we follow the lakeside trail to reach Grasmere Lake passing a rushing weir. The path runs for half a mile. A short climb towards a country lane which we then follow back to Grasmere for refreshments.
Note: There are a few tricky parts to negotiate but nothing too difficult.
