Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside
Comment(19 votes)
Gain (+/- 10%): 1055m (3463ft)
Total (+/- 10%): 2102m (6896ft)
Loss (+/- 10%): 1046m (3433ft)
Max. Elevation: 850m (2788ft)
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From Ambleside, follow the road up to Rydal (there is also a bus service). In Rydal, there are signposts to the Fairfield Horseshoe. The first section is the steep climb, onto Heron Pike. From here, much of the walk is in land owned by the National Trust.
Once you start climbing, you will soon be rewarded with great views down towards Windermere.
Follow the clear path along the ridge - it's well trodden and easy to find. This is right in the heart of the Lakes - easy to see why people love coming here.
Follow the ridge round to Fairfield, the highest point of the walk at 873m. You will need the next map - OL5 - for this bit, but on a clear day, the path round the top of Rydal Head is obvious enough.
Route finding is easy - just stick to the high ground! From Dove Crag, the path follows a long shoulder down into Ambleside.
Descend along the ridge past High Pike and Low Pike, before the path wiggles its way into Ambleside.
Take the final few paces into Ambleside and start thinking about that pint at the end....
Back to Ambleside, which has everything the hungry/thirsty/sleepy walker could need, and then some. It's heaving in summertime, so be warned!
The views on this walk are just stunning - take your camera and a thermos!