The Fairfield horseshoe includes seven other Lake District fells. Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag form the outward route with the return over Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar back to Ambleside via Rydal. This is a high level route so choose a good day to make the most of the views.
Calculated time: 7h15[?] 
Distance : 16.53km
Vertical gain : 888m
Vertical drop : 889m
Highest point : 866m
Lowest point : 57m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Lakes
Starting point : N 54.434846° / W 2.96589° (D/A) The Fairfield horseshoe is a popular route starting and finishing in Ambleside (Grid ref. NY 375045). From the centre of Ambleside take the Kirkstone Road for a short way turning down the first lane on the left. This leads to Low Sweden Bridge from where the views of the Fells begin to improve. The onward path to Low Pike is well-trodden and you soon find yourself alongside the ridge wall. This leads onwards over High Pike and onto Dove Crag. As you climb, the views on both sides are excellent and improve with each step.
(1) Although you are now in the high fells, progress is easy. Although you are climbing most of the time there is nothing too strenuous and you feel as though you are covering a lot of ground. By the time you reach Dove Crag, you have earned a rest, and this is an excellent place to see the majority of the Fairfield horseshoe. Suitably refreshed head on to Hart Crag where the view north opens out with St Sunday Crag dominating the view. The ascent is nearly over and after dropping off the northern side of Hart Crag to Link Hause a steep rocky upward pull brings you onto Fairfield.
(2) As the name suggests, this mountain is a grassy plateau. However on its north eastern flanks there are some superb crags and rather than follow the main path it is better to keep to your right following the narrow trod which skirts around the top of the cliffs. Besides an excellent view into Deepdale, you are able to appreciate the full extent of Fairfield's rocky aspect. Suitably impressed, you should arrive at the summit cairn from where the far ranging views are excellent. However because of the domed nature of the plateau it is better to explore a little with a short walk north to inspect Cofa Pike and Grisedale Hause particularly rewarding.
(3) Having reached the highest point of the walk it is downhill almost all the way back to Grasmere. In poor visibility do be careful to take the correct path off Fairfield as it can be a confusing place in low cloud. Keeping on the main path to Great Rigg you will find it easy to keep a good pace with an excellent Lakeland panorama ahead. Reaching the cairn on Great Rigg descend taking the main path to Heron Pike.
(4) From this last major 'top' of the route continue south to Nab Scar from where there is a steep descent into Rydal. Keep to the north side of Rydal Hall and follow the drive through pleasant parkland to meet the main road just outside Ambleside. Turn left along the main road and you will be back at the start(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 62m - Ambleside
1 : km 6.24 - alt. 785m - Dove Crag
2 : km 7.73 - alt. 793m - Fairfield
3 : km 8.42 - alt. 866m - Highest point of the walk
4 : km 11.95 - alt. 597m - Heron Pike
D/A : km 16.53 - alt. 62m
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 5/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 5/5
Routemap quality : 5/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 02/07/22
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk.
6.65km
+358m
-401m
2h55
Moderate
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria A few kilometres from Ambleside, a walk to the top of Loughrigg Fell overlooking the lakes of the National Park Lake District.
18.05km
+1047m
-930m
8h10
Difficult
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way, there are 7 Wainwrights, 2 lakes, 1 tarn and 1 pub.
12.71km
+577m
-488m
5h15
Moderate
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are one Wainwright, one waterfall and one pub. This is a fairly simple route and a good way to say goodbye to The Lakes. The Stockghyll Falls are impresive and a certain Victorian atmosphere surrounds the place.
22.44km
+1120m
-1121m
9h35
Difficult
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria This variation of the Fairfield Horseshoe starts from High Close on the western edge of Loughrigg Fell. The route follows a clockwise direction offering a different perspective to the normal horseshoe route.
19.62km
+802m
-904m
7h55
Difficult
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria This is a varied walk with a couple of fells to climb but nothing really difficult. Take care of yourself and look out for wildlife along the way. Just enjoy the journey and make the most of the moment. Along the way are 2 Wainwrights, 2 tarns, 2 pubs and a lake.
15.11km
+308m
-406m
5h10
Moderate
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 1 Wainwright, 1 tarn and 1 pub.
21.33km
+1422m
-1314m
10h10
Difficult
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights and 3 tarns.
8.51km
+184m
-183m
2h55
Moderate
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria In contrast to the great lakes of the Lake District, here are three small lakes that lay south of Elterwater village.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
