March
8:00 start with 17:00 return
9.25 miles / 15 km with 3250 ft / 990 m Total Ascent
The ‘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. The weather thwarted us last year and may well do so again, particularly if the weather pattern at the time of writing persists. 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 18km in length with 960m of ascent.
8.5 miles / 13.7 km with 2000 ft / 600 m Total Ascent
We walk out of Grasmere to Lancrigg where we start our climb of Helm Crag. Locally this is known as the "Lion and the Lamb." As you turn your head you can see another stone outcrop which is known locally as "The Howitzer".
We then continue our walk along the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag. Shortly after here we start our drop down off the ridge into Easedale Gill which we follow all the way back into Grasmere.
I can imagine on a fine clear day this is a lovely walk with excellent views of the Cumbria Fells. Unfortunately last year the mist was down and we saw nothing!!. I have looked at alternative walks for a poor day but all involve going high. So let's pray for a good day or I will have to stay low.
7 miles / 11 km with 1030 ft / 314 m Total Ascent
Alighting the coach in Grasmere we go up Red Bank Road to join the track down to Grasmere lake. We follow the lake side path and then go on to the lower levels of Loughrigg Terrace eventually passing the caves created by quarrying. Dropping down to the Badger Bar and through the grounds of Rydal Hall (toilets) we then take the Coffin route to Town End branching off along the path that leads to Forest Side. Passing St Mary's Church we cross over the main road and take a track that leads us to the bridge over the river and back into Grasmere for refreshments. A lovely walk, lets hope the weather is kind to us.
6 miles / 9.7 km with 400 ft / 274 m Total Ascent
We leave car park (toilets available) making our way past Dove Cottage (home of William Wordsworth) towards the Coffin Trail which we walk along briefly to leave at White Moss which takes us to the A591 crossing the road to a footbridge on the edge of Grasmere Water, crossing the bridge continuing along the waters edge before a short climb to Red Bank Road which leads back to Grasmere. In reaching the village we turn left into Langdale Road then left down a track to Allan Bank. We pass Allan Bank down a track to Low Scorecrag and then downhill through fields to Goody Bridge, turning left into Easedale Road picking up a stone track leading to Lancrigg woodland walk. From here we take the road to Butharlyp Howe before turning left through the wood and continue to reach the A591. We then cross to take the lane at the side of the Swan Hotel which leads us to the grounds of Forest Side Hotel and back to A591 crossing again to follow field path back to the coach park and time for refreshments in Grasmere.
