Title – Loughrigg Fell, Grasmere and Rydal Loop from Ambleside
Meeting point: Ambleside Market Cross outside the Information Hub centre
Parking: Plenty of pay and display, limited free parking in surrounding residential areas. Ambleside can be a headache for parking – so bear with finding a spot, especially given it will likely be a busy time during school holidays.
Public Transport: 555 service between Kendal and Keswick. Services run hourly and into the evening.
Meeting time: 10:15am
Leaving time: 10:30 am
Finish Time: 16:30-17:00 approx (at a leisurely pace)
Miles: 9 approx
Ascent: About 450 metres (a steep short climb at the beginning, thereafter a few short ups and downs to the summit of Loughrigg, and a further slight climb after Grasmere, with further slight ups and down to Rydal but on a very small scale).
Grading: Leisurely in the main, moderate in parts. Loughrigg is a low lying fell and mostly grassy but has one or two rocky climbs and intermittent paths, otherwise this is an easy walk, with limited climb, on well marked paths/ or tracks and roads. It is technically easy, a suitable walk for beginners, anyone wanting to get a taste for fell walking in the Lakes.
Route Description:
We leave Ambleside town centre and head through Rothay Park, and climb steeply up to Ivy Crag and then follow the undulating ridge to Loughrigg Summit. Hopefully we will have excellent views of the surrounding countryside. We will have lunch at the summit, and then head down to the Loughrigg Terrace route, following the road/path by Lake Grasmere. In Grasmere we will stop for a refreshment in one of the cafes/pubs.. and then make our way back to Ambleside via the Coffin Route on the north side of Rydal Water. At the end of the walk we will have a further drink, and for anyone wishing to linger longer an early possible bite to eat – will depend on level of interest..
What to bring / wear – Health and Safety: Please bring suitable walking gear, and dress to the weather conditions. It may be warm and sunny, it may be wet and cold.. If the latter bring waterproofs, and change of clothing to keep dry, warm clothes, hats etc. if warm and sunny – suncream and sunhat, sunglasses. April is notoriously a fickle month weatherwise, can have all seasons in the day!
Please bring plenty of water and a bite to eat for lunch. We will be stopping in Grasmere for a drink, and given the nature of the walk you may just wish to bring a light snack only.
The walk leader has the right to cancel or vary the walk subject to conditions.
If you are interested in joining the walk please contact Damian by 6pm Friday 12th April 07796 654031.
If you are hoping to have something to eat at the end of the walk – please indicate so, ideally not last minute as depending on level of interest we may seek to reserve somewhere for an early tea.