Fairfield Walk
Nook End Farm - High Sweden Coppice - Low Pike - High Pike - Dove Crag - Hart Crag - Fairfield - Great Rigg - Heron Pike - Nab Scar - Rydal Mount - Scandale Bridge
The popular Fairfield Horseshoe route is a classic Lakeland walk, although relatively simple and, for the most part, not much more than a grassy ramble. This large circular walk takes in a few summits, and can, of course, be completed in either direction.
Parking in Ambleside, head to Nook End Farm: at the bottom of Kirkstone Road (virtually opposite the main car park at the northern end of the town) turn left, following a road behind the museum and college. Nook End Farm as it the end of this lane. From the Farm, the path crosses Scandale Beck and zig-zags roughly north towards High Sweden Coppice. The path then passes a sheepfold and forks, the right hand route heading east to Scandale Beck. Continue forwards, heading north over Brock Crags to Low Pike. The route then heads north up the gentle ridge to High Pike, and then on to Dove Crag. From Dove Crag the path heads north-west to Har Crag, and then curves west around the top of the steep slopes of Rydal Head. The summit of Fairfield is a short distance to the north-west. In poor weather, the grassy, flat summit of Fairfield can become quite confusing, and there are dangerous drops to the north and west, so take extreme care if you cannot see too far - know how to use your map, compass (and/or GPS) before setting off!
The return journey heads south-south-west from Fairfield, above the steep slopes of Calf Cove to Great Rigg, then south along the ridge to Heron Pike. The path from Heron Pike descends quite steeply south to Lord Crag, before bearing south-east to Nab Scar, and from Nab Scar the path again falls steeply to Rydal Mount (see elevation profile, below). It is worth taking time to view Rydal Mount, former home of the great poet William Wordsworth, before following the path through the grounds of Rydal Hall, south-east along the edge of Rydal Park, then south, back to the A591 at Scandale Bridge. It is then only a short, 5 minute walk south along the road back to Ambleside, where there is a good choice of pubs in which to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
Approx. distance: 9.8 miles
Approx. total ascent: 3264 feet
Approx. time: 4.5-6.5 hours