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| Statistics: |
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Start: |
Ambleside Church |
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Start (OS ref): |
NY374043 |
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Map (1:25,000):
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OL7 English Lakes South East area |
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Parking: |
Car parks in Ambleside |
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Distance: |
3.4 miles (5.4 km) |
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Time: |
1.5 - 2 hours |
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Difficulty: |
Fairly Easy |
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Climbing: |
225 metres |
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Hazards: |
Some roadside walking in Skelwith Bridge |
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Refreshments:
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Ambleside |
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| Summary: This is a pleasant walk which is perfect as an introduction to walking in the Lake District. The walk is popular and is suitable for people of all ages including courting couples and those with young families. The route has all the features you would expect from a Lakeland walk with some climbing, some fell walking, a descent and even a visit to a tarn. The initial climb out of Ambleside to Loughrigg Fell is the toughest part of the walk so you'll be glad to know it is soon polished off leaving the rest of the walk a pleasant experience at an elevation with lovely views. The visit to Loughrigg Tarn is also special as it is in a lovely setting. And when the walk is completed you can celebrate with a drink in Skelwith Bridge. And if you are still feeling good you can always walk back! |
The Story of the Walk:
Steve and I discovered this lovely walk by chance. We had arrived in Ambleside on a Saturday afternoon at the start of a five day walking break in the Lake District. We were glad to be back for it was 2 years since our previous visit and we were desperate to get out onto the fells. We simply couldn't wait until the morning so we decided to fill the four hour window we had before we were to investigate the pubs by doing a short walk. Thus I got out the map and plotted out a route which would take us from Ambleside to a tarn. This walk was the result and what a great little walk it is. Starting from our digs which were conveniently near the church we walked through Rothay Park to cross the river via a footbridge. This led us along a road for a few yards before cutting off on a lane due west to Brow Head Farm and then to Miller Brow. It was a good climb we were on as we continued on by the side of Deer Hows wood onto Loughrigg Fell. The fell is a lovely spot with great views back to Ambleside. Paths criss cross all over this popular walking area and we could have explored it for ages. However we stuck to our course heading west and off the fell after passing Ivy Crag.
Once off the fell we followed a path enclosed by walls on either side to a gate from where we crossed north over two fields. Once across the fields we were on the banks of Loughrigg Tarn. The sights and surroundings of the tarn are really fantastic. Steve and I soon relaxed and forgot about all our ills as we sat by the side of the tarn. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and the idyllic backdrop was spellbinding. The views west to the shimmering Langdale Pikes filled us full of anticipation of some great walking in the coming week. We were not to be disappointed but for now we relaxed for some appreciable time before we left and tracked south to Crag Head and Little Loughrigg before descending into Skelwith Bridge. We had so much enjoyment on our short curtain raiser that we walked straight back as an appetiser for our exploration of the Ambleside pubs! |
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