Fairfield Horseshoe
Ambleside
Cumbria
Distance 20km Climb 800m
Saturday 13th October 2012
Following last week when I came across to the Lakes to check this route with Anne, I was now back in the Lakes doing much the same route again. Today I was walking with a group of friends and we arrived at the Ambleside youth hostel 50m at about 08.30 am. The weather was very misty compared with the weather last weekend.
After sorting out our kit and getting ready for the walk we had a quick map check and discussion as to who was going to do the map reading before we set off at about 09.00 am, with Lesley leading the route.
From the youth hostel we moved North through the town where Our Kid and Our Lad stopped for caramel doughnuts and other supplies from Greggs. Lesley lead us up the track towards Rydal Park, using Ritchie's map which was 1:25,000. A 1:25,000 map shows more detail than my 1:50,000 so you could actually see that the park was up a track on the right of the A591.
Just past the houses in Ambleside we turned right and followed the track through the park and passed a number of camping huts, this took us to a place just before Rydal Hall. At a bridge we could see an old building that had been built just for people to go in and look back up at the waterfall towards the bridge.
After passing the Hall we followed the track to a junction where we turned right and headed up the track up the hill. Walking up the hill before we turned left up the footpath the postie came past. It was now Dodsy's turn with the map reading and he lead us up the hill and being a young jack in the box he was away. We turned up the footpath towards Nab Scar. As we walked up we passed a man running down with his dog. By the time we reach the style he and his dog had ran up and down and passed us three times. At the style we had a quick rest and to took off any warm clothing. Although still misty it was getting warm.
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| Lesley coming up the hill |
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| Bob half way up Nab Scar, with Rydal Water behind. |
Once on Nab Scar we headed North towards Heron Pike.
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| From Nab Scar with Grasmere in the distance |
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| From Nab Scar looking North |
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| Dodsy and Boydie |
It was still misty when we reached Heron Pike 612m. From Heron Pike Boydie took control of the map.
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| Looking West as the mist appears to be clearing |
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| Bottom of Great Rigg 766m - everyone still smiling |
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| Looking West through gaps of mist |
As we moved up we were passed by other groups but the point of the day was to stay together and enjoy the walk. Throughout the day we had enjoyable chats about all sorts of things such as banana skins, Ritchie shared with us information on the enclosure law as to why walls were built in some of the most difficult places. As well as the use of moss, the ice age glaciers, all very interesting. As we started up Fairfield we had a few splashes of rain and everyone put on waterproof jackets and hats. The mist was thick and spoiled any views we might have had.
Just before Faifield at approx 850m, we turned right, East over the top Rydal Head. Then started down towards Hart Crag. Last week from the start we could see all around our route with the clear sky's. Today was very different where at some points we were lucky if we could a 100m, sometimes it was down to 50m.
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| How steep is that slope? |
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| Looking North East from near Hart Crag it was starting to clear. |
As we started South it started to clear and we only had the odd mist patch. In parts I think it was more low cloud than mist.
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| Bob |
Ritchie knows a lot of places in the Lakes, many of the different routes and lots of information about the Lakes, as he spends a lot of time walking in the area.
On the way down Dodsy was bouncing about from rock to rock all the way down.
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| Ritchie approaching High Pike |
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| Our Kid spotted a rainbow in the bottom of the next valley. |
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| Our Kid and Our Lad going down |
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| Lesley and Katie on the way down |
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| Looking back North from Low Pike |
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| Our Kid, Boydie, Our Lad and Dodsy passing around Low Pike |
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| Looking South over Ambleside |
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| Lesley, Dodsy and Bob |
When we came off the hill we found our way to a couple of liquid stops on the way through the town on the way back to the youth hostel.
Some other groups commented on how long it had taken us. As a group we had started with nine people and we stayed as a group of nine and I would like to think we all enjoyed the walk and each others company. We had had plenty of time to stop and enjoy the views, when we could see. Plenty of talking and a relaxed walk. There was no time limit to finish the walk and as the day moved on the sky cleared and the views were stunning.
I thought it was all very enjoyable.
The letter describing the walk stated that it was 13km. However the Track magazine Sept 2010 edition shows the same route as the Fairfield Horseshoe with a distance of 19km from the centre of Ambleside. We started at the youth hostel which was a good 500m from the centre of the town I calculated that all in we had covered at least 20km with a bit of a climb up and down, approx 800m.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Cumbria or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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