402 Walks from Ambleside 2019

Our next walking will be on

Saturday 14th September 2019

and will be from 

Ambleside

in Cumbria

the Jewel in Lakelands Crown

Ambleside is a town in Cumbria, in North West England. Historically within the county of Westmorland, it is situated at the head of Windermere, England's largest lake. The town is within the Lake District National Park. 

Although there has been a settlement since pre-Roman times, Ambleside is largely Victorian. A fort beside Borrans Park – named Galava - was built in Ambleside by the Romans, housing some 500 soldiers. It was built to defend the lower fells of South Lakeland from invasion by the Picts and Scots, and to guard the road to the Roman Port at Ravenglass via Hardknott Pass.........read more

 

There will be three walks:

• A Walk led by; Peter Hitchcock
• B Walk led by; Pat Guy
• C Walk led by; John Adamson

Walk details will be added as they become available but by Saturday 7th September

A Walk from Ambleside 2019

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Distance: 11mls app
Total Ascent/Descent: 2800ft app
 

Weather permitting, the beauty spot today is going to be the fantastic 360 deg view from the top of Red Screes – which towers majestically over the Kirkstone Pass (and pub!!). We leave the coach park (20p toilets) directly to the east to skirt pretty Redbank Wood and Wansfell Pike to zig-zag along the valley a bit before starting the climb up to Red Screes, via Snarker Pike and Raven crag, a gradual ascent – but quite steep in parts - of some 2100ft. It is quite a pull to be fair but one which, believe it or not, should only take about 2½ hrs. Keep going – head down!! The fun will be to see how many well-known lakes, ridges and hill-tops you can identify from the top. The winner may get a Twirl bar! If it is not too windy, we shall have lunch in this “circle” seat, otherwise we shall start our return north-west and lunch in the shelter of the Scandale Pass X-roads. We shall then descend south down Scandale Beck just below High and Low Pikes. [From experience, a return via these latter Pikes would be just a little bit too hard and long given our timescale, unfortunately]. This is an easy, just under a 2hr section. At approx 11 miles, you will be more than ready to put your feet up back in the town with ale in hand – ideally in the sunshine on an outside table prepared just for you! Like all Fell walks, the first half is quite hard going but not as difficult as Old Man Coniston. As always, though, and no apologies, we shall need to maintain a good pace throughout.

B Walk from Ambleside 2019

Walk Leader: Pat Guy
Total Distance: 7 mls app
Total Ascent/Descent: 1890ft app

 

 Our objective today is Wansfell Pike which lies on the east side of Ambleside standing at just over 1500ft.

Our first point of note is Stock Ghyl Force, a lovely waterfall especially after rain. 

We then walk a short way along a road before we start our ascent of Wansfell Pike, it is a fairly short in distance but a bit steep but will shall take it slowly and take in the wonderful views from the summit of Lake Windermere. After a rest on the top we will take the gradual path to Troutbeck with its lovely old cottages and maybe have an Ice Cream. The way back to Ambleside starts along Robin Lane an undulating track which again takes views of Windermere we also take a short Diversion to Jenkins Crag for more good views. This walk is a bit shorter then normal but will give us time so that we won’t have to rush particularly for the ascent.

Ambleside provides plenty of shops, pubs, tea shops and even a garden centre on our return.

C Walk from Ambleside 2019

Walk Leader: John Adamson
Total Distance: 5 mls app
Total Ascent/Descent: approx 500ft

The “C” Walk starts with a coffee and cake in one of the local tea shops in Ambleside.  We walk through Ambleside to Rothay Park, cross the River Rothay and head north along a back road to Rydal.  The road is fairly flat with views across to Fairfield. We walk up towards Rydal Water and cross the main Ambleside – Grasmere road.  The walk then climbs up a short way to the back of Rydal Hall, where there are lovely views of the beck and water falls.  Our return walk to Ambleside takes us across fields towards Scandale Bridge.  We take a path to the left to climb up to the Lower Sweden Bridge that crosses the Scandale Beck at the water falls, and continue down Nook Lane and on into Ambleside.  There are no stiles on the route.