Starting point: Ambleside main car park  (NY 376047)  Distance: 11 miles  Ascent: 3520' 

The Fairfield Horseshoe is a classic 11 mile walk and by completing it, the walker will have achieved eight Wainwright tops in one outing.  Choose a clear day to enjoy and marvel at the stupendous views to be had on this ridge walk - one of the best in Lakeland.

Route: Beginning from the main car park in Ambleside, turn right by a mini-roundabout on to Kirkstone Road and opposite the Golden Rule pub, turn left into Nook Lane.  This lane leads to the start of the ridge beyond Low Sweden Bridge, which is followed all the way up on to Fairfield on good paths throughout.  Take care on Fairfield to head off the correct ridge as the flat top can be confusing in mist.  Return down the other leg of the horseshoe crossing Great Rigg and Heron pike before a steep descent off nab Scar.  Walk through Rydal Park and emerge on to the A 591, walking back into Ambleside and the starting point.

Scandale looking towards Little Hart Crag

Low Pike is the first top on the round

Windermere

Low Pike summit

Follow the wall up to High Pike

Scandale

High Pike

Sunlight on Dove Crag

Great Rigg across the valley

Dove Crag

Dove Crag summit

Dove Crag summit cairn

Hart Crag

Fairfield

Bowfell on the skyline

Heron Pike

Fairfield

Hart Crag summit

Fairfield summit

Cofa Pike

Deepdale

St Sunday Crag

Looking towards Helvellyn

Great Gable

Herdwick

The ridge walk to Great Rigg

Rydal Beck and the view to Windermere

Seat Sandal from Great Rigg

Great Rigg Man

Alcock Tarn

Heron Pike

Looking back to Fairfield

Nab Scar is the final top before descending back to Ambleside

Rydal Water below

The steep descent off Nab Scar

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Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved