Fairfield Horseshoe - Tuesday 6 May 2014
Route
Ambleside - Rydal - Nab Scar - Heron Pike - Great Rigg - Fairfield - Hart Crag - Dove Crag - High Pike - Low Pike - Low Sweden Bridge - Ambleside
Parking
Plenty in Ambleside but be prepared to have your wallet emptied
Mileage
11.8 miles
Terrain
Some steep ascents and descents with good paths throughout. Care should be taken on the summit of Fairfield in mist.
Weather
Overcast but with good visibility
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
3385ft (1032m)
Wainwrights
8
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
OL7 - The English Lakes - South Eastern Area
Ambleside - Rydal - Nab Scar - Heron Pike - Great Rigg - Fairfield - Hart Crag - Dove Crag - High Pike - Low Pike - Low Sweden Bridge - Ambleside
Parking
Plenty in Ambleside but be prepared to have your wallet emptied
Mileage
11.8 miles
Terrain
Some steep ascents and descents with good paths throughout. Care should be taken on the summit of Fairfield in mist.
Weather
Overcast but with good visibility
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
3385ft (1032m)
Wainwrights
8
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
OL7 - The English Lakes - South Eastern Area
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GPX File
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Walk Description
We were starting the Dales Way tomorrow therefore we needed to keep the legs ticking over whilst we were staying in Ambleside therefore decided to do one of our favourite rounds which we last completed in 2008. The Fairfield Horseshoe is a lovely walk with a fair bit of up and down but nothing too onerous once you are up on either Nab Scar or Low Pike depending on which way round you do it. Both times we have started off via Nab Scar because it seems natural to go clockwise I suppose? There is a nice tea room in Rydal before you start the climb up to Nab Scar and this sets you up for the long walk ahead. From Nab Scar there are superb views over both Rydal and Grasmere Water and in good visibility the route is never really in doubt. Should the visibility become ropey then there is a real need to make sure you leave the summit of Fairfield in the right direction as the top is very confusing in mist. The great views continue throughout the walk and we would recommend undertaking the Horseshoe when there is every likelihood of a clear day. The route was busy between Great Rigg and Fairfield but once we were away from Fairfield we saw very few people.
Heading through Rydal Park from Ambleside
This little cutie popped out as we were walking past - both mother and baby were doing well!
Nab Scar from the path through Rydal Park
Peek a boo from Fudge on the ascent to Nab Scar - note the practical dog passage!
Looking across to the right are High Pike and Low Pike - our route for the return to Ambleside
Ascending Nab Scar
Near the summit of Nab Scar - Rydal Water below with Loughrigg Fell behind
Rydal Water to the left with Grasmere Water to the right
Ambleside with Windermere in the distance - our path of ascent can be seen to the left
The summit of Nab Scar with Heron Pike in the distance - we were off there next
The summit of Heron Pike with Great Rigg & Fairfield in the distance
The busy path to Great Rigg from Heron Pike
Looking back to Heron Pike
Looking to the Langdale Pikes, Ullscarf and Easedale Tarn with Helm Crag to the right
Heading up to the summit of Great Rigg
Grisedale Tarn with Seat Sandal to the left and the Helvellyn Range right
Heading to Fairfield from Great Rigg
Looking back to Great Rigg & Heron Pike from the ascent of Fairfield
The summit of Fairfield with St Sunday Crag behind
Helvellyn and Striding Edge with Catstycam to the right
Heading off Fairfield to Hart Crag
The view back down to Ambleside from Rydal Head - our outward route is to the right
The summit of Hart Crag
The summit of Dove Crag
Dropping to High Pike from Dove Crag with Windermere stretching away.
The walker ahead and his Collie were the only souls we saw on the way down.
The walker ahead and his Collie were the only souls we saw on the way down.
The summit of High Pike
The summit of Low Pike with High Pike in the background
Ambleside from near Low Sweden Bridge
Diet Cokes all round at The White Lion in Ambleside