Meeting Point: Market Cross, by the Post Office Ambleside LA22 9BS
Meeting Time: 09:45am
Start Time: 10:00am
Finish Time: 14:30-15:00pm
Transport/Parking: Plenty of pay and display and off road parking in and around town centre. Ambleside is served by the 555 and 599 bus services.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Miles: 6.5-7 approx
Ascent/Climb: 550 m approx
Grading: Moderate
Terrain: Mix of rocky paths/bridleways, open tussocky fellside – sketchy path in places, no technical difficulties
Description: Leaving the town centre we head up Old Lake Road and follow the path towards Troutbeck via Skelghyll Woods. After 2 miles or so, we bear north along ‘The Hundreds Road’ with the summit of Wansfell ahead of us. We make our way to the path coming up from Nanny Lane but instead of climbing direct to the summit of Wansfell Pike, we continue north towards ‘Baystones’ following a wall and reach the official summit of Wansfell first. From the summit we follow the rocky up and down crested ridge of the fell and reach Wansfell Pike summit. Our return to Ambleside is down the steep western flanks of the fell, visiting Stock Ghyll Waterfalls on the outskirts of the town on our way before reaching the Town Centre.
Health and Safety: Please dress to the weather conditions and bring a hat, gloves, waterproofs/windproof warm clothing. The summit of Wansfell is exposed with no shelter, windchill effect will be notable (unless no/little wind!). Boots / walking footwear essential for stability on any wet ground. If ice and snow is about, spikes / walking poles will come in handy. The walk leader has the right to vary or cancel the walk due to circumstances, a shorter lower level alternative may be chosen instead.
Food/Drink: Please bring food for lunch and hot drinks and water. We will stop for lunch probably at Wansfell summit (limited shelter).
Dogs: This walk is suitable for dogs, though there are a few gates and one or two stiles.
Contact: If you would like to join this walk please contact Damian on 07796 654 031 by no later than 10pm Friday 18 December.
We strongly advise walkers to carry hand sanitiser and to touch as little as possible during the walk. We will walk 2m apart as much as possible. We will not be able to share any equipment, drinks or food. Please carry a mask in your bag in case it is needed. If we need to go through a gate, the walk leader will take responsibility for opening and closing the gate to save multiple people touching it. Car sharing will not be possible.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.