Loughrigg Fell should be enjoyed by anyone visiting Windermere or Ambleside. It’s easily accessible path to the top, although once you get started it is surprisingly mountainous. This route takes you from Rydal Water up the fell and is a 4-mile route. It is suitable for dogs as long as you remember to bring along the fresh water for them to drink in drier periods and some experience of map reading is essential to truly enjoy this walk.
The Route
Begin at the car park at Pelter Bridge just outside of Rydal, turning left and continuing straight along the road. It soon turns into an old bridleway and enters into parkland known as Jobson Close. Once you reach this point bear left onto the higher path and follow this path around until it becomes a rough track, Stay along the rough track, although there are caves worth stopping and visiting too. You will soon find a junction near a ruined building where you should turn left and remain on the signposted bridleway, named Loughrigg Terrace. From here you will see fantastic views over Grasmere and also over Rydal Water.
Once you reach the end of Loughrigg Terrace just before reaching the woods take a sharp left onto a steeply uphill path, featuring built-in steps. The steps are steep but they soon become gentler and you will see several false summits before eventually reaching the top. Traverse over the rocky summit and soon you will join a grassy path, where you should head south-east. The path will take you through a shallow gorge where there are a number of cairns to see too. When you reach a wall to your right and a maze of small paths and junctions you need to turn left a little and find east. It’s recommended you use the head of Fox Ghyll, a well-known clump of conifers on the corner between the ghyll and bridleway as a focus point. Eventually, drop down into the ghyll and follow the path down to the road. You will see a house at the bottom but before you get there cross the bridge over to the left and walk through the kissing gate. One muddy path and one more kissing gate will bring you back onto the road and one left turn from Pelter Bridge.
Recommended For
This route does have some steeper moments but it really is enjoyable to all. It’s suitable for experienced and new walkers looking to enjoy striking views over Rydal Water and Grassmere.
